European Day of Early Music
Androulla Vassiliou, member of the European Commission says: "Early music is a central part of our shared cultural heritage as Europeans (...) a powerful symbol of our civilization and of our common European identity. As such it deserves to be promoted, highlighted and brought to the highest possible audience, and the European network for Early Music helps to achieve this."
Maestro Jordi Savall, supporter of the European Day of Early Music: "In these times of widespread crisis, (...) music continues to fulfil a very important function: the more difficult our circumstances are, the greater is our need for the peace, emotion and hope that it can bring each one of us. At the same time, it is very important that we join forces to support the music of earlier ages, as well as the performers and organisations who disseminate it, and that is precisely what the European Early Music
Network has done in coming up with the idea of holding this Day of celebration."
The European Day of Early Music has been created to increase the awareness of, and access to, a musical treasure that we all share. “A fascinating and timeless language that still speaks straight to our hearts,” Peter Pontvik, president of REMA, comments.
Participate in the online European Day of Early Music - watch live streamings of some of the concerts online! www.u-sophia.com
21 MARCH - REMA EUROPEAN DAY OF EARLY MUSIC on U-SOPHIA from REMA on Vimeo.
In 2013, REMA will organise for the first time the European Day for Early Music.
A living memorial to the European historical musical heritage
WHAT? – THE EVENT
A celebration of more than a millennium of music, through concerts, events, and happenings taking place simultaneously across Europe, the REMA European Day of Early Music will be an official day for early music and a focal point for the promotion of the historical musical heritage in Europe, under the patronage of Mrs Androulla Vassiliou, member of the European Commission.
WHY? – A LIVING HERITAGE
Early music is a central part of the cultural heritage shared by Europeans, closely connected with other artistic expressions such as dance, theatre, and architecture. It spans more than 1000 years of music, written down or transmitted by oral tradition, from the Middle Ages to the end of the 18th century. While some of the composers of these eras, for instance Johann Sebastian Bach, Claudio Monteverdi, or Hildegard von Bingen, are widely known, there is a large repertoire still to be rediscovered by today’s audiences. The European Day of Early Music aims to increase awareness of the music from the medieval, renaissance and baroque periods and bring it to the attention of a wider audience.
WHEN? – FOCUS ON EARLY MUSIC
The REMA European Day of Early Music will be held on 21st March, a day celebrating the beginning of spring, and one of Early Music’s most important composers Johann Sebastian Bach (born on 21st March 1685, according to the Julian Calendar).
WHERE? - THE HISTORICAL CONTINENT
During the European Day of Early Music, events will take place across Europe, creating and encouraging collaboration, and connecting initiatives on a national level in a joint European manifestation that will highlight simultaneously local distinguishing features and the common ground of the continent’s musical history.
WHO? – COORDINATOR AND COLLABORATORS
The official promoter and coordinator of the European Day of Early Music is the REMA network, which currently includes over 65 early music festivals and concert venues in 20 European countries. The network and its members will organise concerts, conferences, and other events under the European Day of Early Music heading, but REMA will also collaborate with other organisations and partners, involving intiatives by organisers on local, regional and national levels.
REMA is supported by:
- The European Commission through the Culture Programme
- The Direction Générale de la Création Artistique of the French Culture Ministry.
PARTNERSHIPS – MEDIA A strong partnership with the media is essential to the impact and visibility of the REMA European Day of Early Music. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) is a partner of the project on the European level. Partnerships between REMA members/other organisers involved in the project and local, regional and national media in each country complement the European aspect.
Read an article about REMA and the European Day of Early Music in the magazine published by the French Ministry of Culture (page 11):
- Magazine Culture - février 2013
Presentation European Day of Early Music
Présentation de la Journée Européenne de Musique Ancienne
Communiqué de presse Journée Européenne de Musique Ancienne
Press release European Day of Early Music
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This project was funded with support from the European Commission.
This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission
cannot be held responsible for any use which
may be made of the information
contained therein.
Le REMA is funded with support from the French Ministry of Culture and Communication.