Made in the Valley: 19th Century Music for Viols and Voices from the Connecticut River Valley

Music was everywhere in New England in the decades before and after the Revolution. By 1800, Northampton was a regional hub of music printing, and Connecticut Valley instrument makers worked to meet the new demand for musical instruments. While there were few professional musicians, almost everyone–rich or poor, Black or white–learned to sing and many learned to play New England viols (similar to modern cellos and violas), fiddles, flutes, “clarionets,” bassoons, and more.

To celebrate this early music, Historic Northampton presents a concert featuring voices and viols, including works by Sawney Freeman, a formerly enslaved composer from Connecticut as well as music that Freeman would have played and heard. Other selections will include hymns, fiddle tunes, songs, and dance music, some of which haven’t been heard for more than two centuries.

The music and commentary will be presented by five eminent musicians: vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Tim Eriksen; viol virtuoso Loren Ludwig; alto violist Alice Robbins of Arcadia Players; vocalist and violinist Allison Monroe, Director of the Five College Early Music Program; and bass violist Nate Steele of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston.

Daphne Lamothe, Smith College Provost, will moderate the program.

To learn more about the musicians and reserve your place, visit:

https://www.historicnorthampton.org/music-for-viols-and-voices-from-the-connecticut-river-valley.html

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This concert is made possible in part by the Gian Lyman Silbiger Grant of the Viola da Gamba Society of New England. This award fosters the performance of music for viols and voices around New England and encourages further exploration of the viol and its music.

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In Partnership with the Unitarian Society of Northampton and Florence and the David Ruggles Center for History and Education

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Major Sponsors

Smith College ~ Daily Hampshire Gazette ~ Whalen Insurance ~ Northeast Solar ~ PeoplesBank