JOYFUL NOISE, a series of musical events offered for the greater Stamford community, features four programs with notable artists this season. St. John’s is proud to have what we believe is the longest continuous-running church concert season in Stamford.

Pro Musica Antiqua of Oslo makes medieval music come to life at St. John's Sunday, October 5 at 4 p.m. The five-member Norwegian ensemble was formed in 1969. Using period instruments and performing in a historically informed style, they are noted for spontaneous and thrilling performances of medieval and Renaissance music. They have toured in Scandinavia, England, and Germany, and recorded two CDs.

Their program is based on music from Piae Cantiones (Pious Songs), an important medieval collection of songs, both sacred and secular, intended for use in church and school. Some of the music is familiar to North American churchgoers even today.

Hans Olav Gorset, Director of Pre Musica Antiqua, co-founded the ensemble and teaches flute, recorder, and performance practice at the Norwegian Academy of Music. For this concert he performs on flutes, while others in the group perform with fiddle, rebec (an early string instrument), lute and voice. An English reviewer has commented that in the ensemble’s performances, "…one is taken back to a timeless age where music really meant something. The songs are varied and colourful in the extreme with subjects ranging from the usual 'Songs for the birth of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ' to the bawdier and commoner 'Scholastic Life'. There is a certain energy and demonic passion behind the rousing instrumental music… [and the] musicians play the music with enthusiastic verve."

Pro Music Antiqua’s tour to the United States is being funded in part by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and MIC, the Music Information Centre of Norway.

This performance is part of the 2008-2009 season of Joyful Noise, a series of musical and performing arts events hosted by St. John's Lutheran Church for the community. A free will offering will be taken at the performance. For more information call the church at 203-322-0066 x18.

To receive a season brochure, please e-mail Stephen Rapp, Director of Music, at stephenrapp@sbcglobal.net or call or the church music office at 203-322-0066 ext. 18.