Rediscovering Hammerschmidt

Eleni Ioannidou, in collaboration with musicologist Dr. Reiner Zimmermann (Musikschätze aus Dresden e.V.), has compiled a selection of madrigals by Andreas Hammerschmidt, which she plans to perform with an ensemble during the Hammerschmidt anniversary year in 2025. The important early Baroque composer died in Zittau 350 years ago. Also known as the "Zittau Orpheus," he was one of the leading figures in the musical world of his time (early Baroque).

Special feature of the project

The following facts give the project special significance:

1. Secular Madrigal (Theme: Nature and Love): This project focuses on the composer's secular music (love songs and secular madrigals) to demonstrate the influence of the Italian madrigal on German composers of the time. "Without Monteverdi and without Marenzio, there would be no Schütz and no Hammerschmidt," as Dr. Zimmermann put it. We aim to showcase this relationship between the Saxon musician and the Italian Renaissance, as well as the development from the Italian madrigal to the German Lied.

2. Silesian Folk Song: Andreas Hammerschmidt is considered the first composer to write songs in the Silesian dialect. In fact, this composer from Zittau combined European (Italian) with regional influences! He set Silesian poets like Martin Opitz to music, as well as folk poetry. This is not widely known, and our association would like to rediscover these songs.

3. Religious bridge builder: Hammerschmidt composes church madrigals in German and Latin, thus acting as a bridge builder between the two religious currents of the time.

4. Supporting Young Talent: Ars Augusta eV is the initiator of the international song competition "Bolko von Hochberg." Several of the singers participating in the project have won prizes at this competition. Lieder singers are ideally suited for performing early music. They come from several European countries. This project therefore contributes to the development of young talent.

5. Connection with a film about nature and the monument of Upper Lusatia. The young filmmaker Yurii Trachuk, resident of the project, will film scenes of spring in the region during the project, which will serve as musical clips.

6. European Cultural Heritage: In 2024, Ars Augusta was selected as a “Residency Host” for this project.

The ensemble was selected from among 15 other German associations for the European Union's "Culture Moves Europe" program. They will therefore meet for three weeks in spring 2025 to research this cultural heritage together. The project will culminate in audio recordings and a final concert, giving our regional cultural heritage an international reach.