De Fragilitate - Piae Cantiones

The Piae Cantiones (1582) is Finland’s one and only collection of early music and reflection of Europe’s medieval musical heritage. Zefiro Torna performs these beautiful carols, devote and student songs with 15th-16th century instruments and includes a children’s choir. The discrete but charming use of a kantele introduces a Finnish-ing touch to the sound. The majority of the compositions belongs to the Germanic-Bohemian cantio tradition. There are also links to French, Spanish and Italian sources and to Flemish masters such as Jacob Obrecht. The religious songs — the majority being Christmas songs — are grouped together according to the liturgical year. The remaining songs deal with the transitory character of earthly life, the human condition, the life of schoolchildren, Biblical subjects and the rebirth of Nature in the spring. Very few collections of music from the 16th century are so strongly anchored in contemporary musical life as the Piae Cantiones are in Finland today, becoming a fixed part of Finnish choral and religious music with the flowering of Finnish nationalism and romanticism in the early 20th century. Variants of these cantiones can be found in Finland’s religious folk music, whilst many composers have also made arrangements of the songs, including Jean Sibelius in his ‘Carminalia’. Zefiro Torna is made up of musicians who first proved their worth in ensembles such as the Huelgas Ensemble, Collegium Vocale Gent, Capilla Flamenca and Lod. The ensemble brings our cultural inheritance to life in a unique manner, taking a deep respect for the past and authenticity blended with creativity as its starting points. The group uses historical instruments and historical performance practice, but also adds its own elements. Zefiro Torna has gained international fame thanks to its multifaceted approach. The Antwerp Cathedral boys’ and girl’s choir is attached to the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal in Antwerp and provides music for the cathedral’s services almost every week of the year. The choir’s agenda is also well-filled with concerts both in Belgium and abroad; they also make a yearly concert tour outside Belgium.