The early music of the Jordi Savall Festival fills Montblanc and the Camp de Tarragona with a unique Concert
Early music has taken Montblanc and the Camp de Tarragona this week, coinciding with a total solar eclipse that leaves everyone amazed. The Jordi Savall Festival, in its sixth edition, has launched a program that makes a sonic journey through various cultures and continents, with a celestial background that amplifies its magic.
The connection between history, music, and the natural phenomenon is evident in every note and every space where the festival is held. The epicenter is the Santes Creus monastery, but the music resonates strongly in Montblanc, Valls, and Alcover.
The Festival and its musical opening in Montblanc
How did the Jordi Savall Festival start this 2026?
The festival began in Montblanc, where the sound and light sculpture "LIMEN" was inaugurated at the Old Hospital of Santa Magdalena. Immediately afterward, Euskal Barrokensamble offered a concert at the Sanctuary of the Virgin of the Mountain, with a repertoire that reviews Juan Sebastián Elkano’s first circumnavigation of the world.
What makes the Euskal Barrokensamble Concert special?
The Basque ensemble integrates music from Europe, Asia, the Near East, and America, reflecting the cultural diversity of Elkano’s journey. Jordi Savall highlights that the concert is a reminder of contact and coexistence between cultures, beyond the attempts of Hispanic cultural imposition.
The solar eclipse as a guiding thread of the Festival
Why is the solar eclipse central to this edition?
The total eclipse that can be seen in southern Catalonia on August 12 inspires a musical reflection on light and darkness, themes explored through works that value the hidden or unknown, such as women in the East or lesser-known composers.
What experience does the 'Concert for an Eclipse' offer?
On August 12, in a secret location that coincides with the eclipse, Josep Maria Martí will perform pieces by Händel and Purcell on the theorbo and guitar. With all tickets sold out, this event is one of the festival’s most anticipated and intimate moments.
Highlighted programming until Sunday and the new piece by Bernat Vivancos
Which artists and concerts stand out in this edition?
In addition to Euskal Barrokensamble, the festival features names like Núria Rial, Quatuor Mosaïques, Momi Maiga, Montserrat Torrent, William Shelton, and Olga Paschenko, offering a rich variety in sound and style.
What does the premiere of 'Lumen tenebrae' signify?
On August 14 at 10 p.m., the first composition commissioned by the festival, by Bernat Vivancos, will be presented. This piece symbolizes the festival’s commitment to contemporary creation within early music.
The Jordi Savall Festival is not just a musical event but an experience that connects past and present, culture and nature, light and darkness. Its commitment to diversity and cultural dialogue makes it unique for the Camp de Tarragona.
Source of the article: Catalan News Agency
