Apollo & Dionysus, CD

Sounds from classical antiquity (European Music Archaeology Project Vol 5)

The Greek and Roman cultures of classical antiquity have left an indelible mark on European society. The Greek ‘muse’ is the origin of our concept of ‘music’, and ancient Greek culture included concert performances with a listening audience, hundreds of years before the rest of the continent.

This fifth and final volume in Delphian’s landmark collaboration with the European Music Archaeology Project includes pieces based on fragments of musical notation, found by archaeologists carved into stone or written on papyrus and dated to between 300 BC and 300 AD, as well as new music created to give a contemporary voice to the instruments of the period. Reconstructed by experts drawing on the latest archaeological research, these include the aulos – a double-reed instrument played in pairs and often depicted as belonging to the retinue of the god Dionysus – and the hydraulis, or Roman water organ.

Reviews:

“From ancient to modern at the flick of a switch: with music from over two millennia ago and music written yesterday, our sonic choices are disorientingly diverse … Apollo & Dionysus does not claim to be reconstructing the sounds of classical antiquity, but aims to create something more ambitious. The reconstructed instrument technology is impressive, from the growling trombone-like lituus and the eloquent twin-piped aulos, to the water-driven hydraulis organ. I was convinced by Stef Conner’s Delphic Paean, while the duet aulodia is pure Steve Reich.” — The Observer

“Blowing the dust off our musical past – Delphian’s final disc with the European Music Archeology Project taps into the most authentic ancient sound world yet.” — Gramophone