The Bastarda’s and Holland Baroque’s joint project marks the inception of one of two captivating collaborations born from a shared reverence for music of eras long past. To pinpoint an exact period would be unwise, but this exceptional fusion of the Bastarda Trio and the Dutch ensemble, Holland Baroque, converges on the concepts, gestures, and dynamics of early music, spanning from the medieval ages to the Baroque era. Yet, as articulated by violinist Judith Steenbrink of Holland Baroque, the music they craft resonates with the contemporary spirit, a fact acutely evident when immersing oneself in the following track, 'Gaude.'

What also crystallizes is their unwavering belief in the auditory landscape they conjure—the aesthetics, the heartfelt dedication with which they perform, and the profound impact it can have on both listeners and themselves as musicians. Their creative journey embarked with a nod to the 13th-century mystic Hadewijch from Brabant, Netherlands, who penned a form of love poetry encompassing love in its broadest and most imaginative sense. In fact, the project's title, 'Minne,' is rooted in 'beminnen,' Dutch for 'to love.'

They eloquently discuss the catalysts fueling their creativity, yet it is the music they compose, improvise, and arrange that emerges as the most eloquent storyteller. In 'Gaude,' their creation speaks resoundingly, immediately and with remarkable lucidity, conveying the fervor each musician harbors for a genre that masterfully and elegantly interlaces the echoes of yesteryears with the vibrant tapestry of the present.

Music from the episode: ‘Gaude’ from Bastarda Trio and Holland Baroque’s from the album ‘Minne’. Copyright - Pentatone Music B.V.

Further reading

• Paweł Szamburski / bio on culture.pl

• Bastarda Trio / bio on ensemble's website 

• Holland Baroque / bio on ensemble’s website 

• About ‘Minne’ project / on Holland Baroque’s website

• ‘Minne’ reviewed on The Free Jazz Collective 

Further watching

• ‘Minne’: Bastarda Trio and Holland Baroque in Poznań / on YouTube.com

• Mystical Jewish songs. ’Nigunim’: Bastarda Trio / on YouTube.com

• ‘Di Kunst der Fuge’ (J.S. Bach): Holland Baroque / on YouTube.com

Credits

This episode of Rebel Spirits was hosted by Debra Richards. The show is brought to you by the Adam Mickiewicz Institute.

Written, produced and scored  by Magdalena Stępień

Executive production by Move Me Media

Edited and mixed by Wojciech Oleksiak 

Copyrights

The publisher would like to thank all copyright owners for their kind permission to reproduce their material. Should, despite our intensive research, any person entitled to rights have been overlooked, legitimate claims shall be compensated within the usual provisions.