schwer.leicht.leicht.

Uncompromising, effortless, detached—this is the narrative of Element of Prime’s program schwer.leicht.leicht. The program features works from the European Renaissance and brand-new commissioned compositions for the ensemble.

We all know what gravity is—but how does levity work? Sprezzatura, a term from the Italian Renaissance, describes an attitude, a way of life, a manner of presenting oneself, so to speak the Renaissance Cool. No matter how strenuous, artful, or difficult it may be—everything should appear effortless. This ostentatious effortlessness conveys elegance, nonchalance, and grandeur and is noticeable in all aspects of life. The way one moves, converses, or dresses was as much implied as any art form.

Musically, sprezzatura is conveyed, for example, in virtuoso ornamentation called diminutions.

Music from a bygone era or music that doesn’t fit into our listening habits might seem difficult. But it is easy to let oneself be carried away by it.

The music is uncompromising—the playing appears to be effortless—the sensation it evokes in the listener is complete detachment.

So let us float. Lightly. Lightly.

Works by Antonio de Cabezón, Girolamo Frescobaldi, Vittoria Aleotti, Kevin Volans, Alyssa Aska and others.