Inspired by Johann Rudolph Ahle’s “Neu-gepflanzte Thüringische Lust-Garten,” Dark Horse Consort presents a musical assortment of the great secular and sacred works from early 17th-century Germany and Austria, including music by Heinrich Schütz, Samuel Scheidt and Johann Schein. It is in the works of these composers that we begin to see the legacy that will be handed down to J.S. Bach.

An historic journey through the musical gems of 16th and 17th century England, Italy and Germany, heralding the beginning of the modern brass quintet. These chamber works for brass by Gabrieli, Frescobaldi, Scheidt, and Locke are still in the repertoire of today’s quintet, played here on the original cornets and sackbuts. Triumphant, beguiling, exhilarating… come hear why this ensemble of instruments was central to European city life for almost two hundred years.

Rising out of the Mediterranean Sea, nestled next to the Ducal Palace of Venice, lies the glistening St. Mark’s Basilica. During the time of Giovanni Gabrieli and his colleagues, music making in the basilica was renowned throughout Europe. The sound of dazzling balconies to the amazement of all who heard them. Featured will be the brilliant and resounding multiple choir canzoni by Gabrieli and Giovanni Picchi and the stunningly virtuosic sonatas by Dario Castello.

A new program that combines music and narrative to explore the devastating effects of the 30 Years War (1618-1648), which claimed more than 8 million lives. A first-hand account of the war written by Hans Herbele (1597-1677), an ordinary German cobbler, describes the many hardships suffered by his family and others. Coupled with excerpts from Herbele’s account is music by 17th c. German composers Tobias Michael, Andreas Hammerschmidt, Heinrich Schütz, Johann Hermann Schein, and others.

The Stadtpfeifer were mostly wind players in the town’s Alta or loud band, playing cornetti, shawms, trumpets and sackbuts, due to the outdoor nature of much of their work. In addition to these loud instruments, all members of the Stadtpfeifer were encouraged to play both string instruments and recorders for indoor and intimate occasions. In our program we capture essence of the Stadtpfeifers, playing a ceremonial intrada by Johann Pezel, chamber and church sonatas by Daniel Speer, Johann Rosenmüller and Matthias Weckmann, entertaining canzoni by Samuel Scheidt and rousing dance suites on recorders by Johann Schein and Andreas Hammerschmidt.

Follow the misadventures of an English gentleman, as he embarks on a continental Grand Tour adventure in search of love and fulfillment. Our hero’s travelogue includes springtime consort songs by Ferrabosco and Byrd, Widmann’s beguiling German dances to dedicated to women, the wooing songs of the Italian gondolieri and sultry airs espangnol. Come along with us on a journey full of love, laughs… and chickens!