Élisabeth JOYÉ Harpsichord

Instead of moving to the country, Élisabeth Joyé decided to spend this period of isolation at home in Paris. The advantage of this was that she had the opportunity to tidy up her flat, her documents and especially her sheet music collection. As she leafed through the pages, she looked back over her life and came across some pieces that she had played since her training and others that she had recommended to her pupils as part of her teaching activities. Frustrated that she couldn't make music with or for other people, she began recording daily videos to share with her friends, students and audiences. The format of the barely three-minute sequences was dictated by the chosen medium, and the listener was immersed in a world, an atmosphere and an emotion specific to each piece. Together, these videos now form a large project that was put together piece by piece. After the end of the lockdowns, the artist had the idea of putting together two concert programmes based on the entire cycle in order to resume her relationship with her audience. This programme brings together the oldest pieces. These are short compositions, each conveying an intense mood and put together either because of their contrasts or because of a connection between them. These favourite pieces, all composed in the 16th and 17th centuries, are treasures that Élisabeth Joyé discovered during the lockdown. (Philippe Ricchiero)

Organised by the Institute for Early Music the mdw - University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna. Free admission: free choice of seats, no reservations.