Savall's musical training started in the school choir of his native town (1947-55). He later completed his training at the Barcelona Conservatory of Music (1959-65). Afterward, he began his specialisation in early music at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis in Basel, Switzerland (1968-70).
In 1974 he formed the ensemble Hespèrion XX (since 2000 as Hespèrion XXI), together with the soprano Montserrat Figueras (his wife), Lorenzo Alpert and Hopkinson Smith. Hespèrion XX favored a style of interpretation characterised by great musical vitality and at the same time, maximum historical accuracy.
In 1987 he returned to Barcelona to found La Capella Reial de Catalunya, a vocal ensemble devoted to the interpretation of music prior to the 18th century.
Finally, in 1989 Savall created Le Concert des Nations, an orchestra that is generally dedicated to the baroque repertoire, but which sometimes also serves as an outlet for music that hails from the classical/romantic repertoire (e.g. Sinfonia a Gran Orquesta by Juan Crisótomo de Arriga).
Savall's discography includes more than 140 recordings. Since 1998 he has released his records with his own label, Alia Vox.
Jordi Savall is also a two-time Grammy nominee, who scored the 1991 Alain Corneau film, Tous les matins du monde (also awarded the César of the French film industry in 1992). The soundtrack, re-released on his own Alia Vox label, has sold more than a million copies worldwide.
Markus Passion BWV 247: Choral "Machs mit mir Gott nach deiner Güt"
Jordi Savall Lyrics
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Hilf mir in meinem Leiden,
Was ich dich bitt, versag mich nicht,
Wenn sich mein Seel soll scheiden.
So nimm sie, Herr, in deine Händ,
Ist alles gut, wenn gut das End’.
(„Machs mit mir Gott, nach deiner Güt“, Vers 1)
In these lyrics, the singer addresses God, asking Him to deal with them according to His mercy and kindness. They plead for God's help and support during their time of suffering and hardship. They express their trust in God's ability to grant their requests and ask Him not to reject them when their soul is ready to depart from this world.
The next line, "So nimm sie, Herr, in deine Händ," can be understood as a surrendering of the soul to God's care and guidance. The singer acknowledges that everything will be well if the outcome is good, indicating their acceptance of God's will, even in the face of uncertainty and even death.
These lyrics convey a deep sense of reliance on God's benevolence and the belief that He will be there to support and guide them through their trials. The repeated plea for God to act according to His "Güt" or goodness highlights the singer's faith in a merciful and compassionate God who will not abandon them in their time of need. Overall, these lyrics express a profound trust in God's providence and a willingness to surrender to His will.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Johann Sebastian Bach
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