Elizabeth Weiss

The concept that led to The Oberlin Concertos was initially hatched in a conversation between pianist and educator Xak Bjerken and a former student, Oberlin Conservatory composition professor Jesse Jones. It was Jones who suggested writing a chamber concerto to be premiered by his friend and mentor, and it was Bjerken-a former longtime member of the Los Angeles Piano Quartet and a veteran soloist with the L.A. Philharmonic and other ensembles-who was immediately hooked. Their plan gave rise to another commission-for the chair of Oberlin's Composition Department, Grammy Award-winner Stephen Hartke-and then another, for fellow composition faculty member Elizabeth Ogonek. The resulting works were recorded in three sessions over a two-year span, with Bjerken joining forces with Oberlin's Contemporary Music Ensemble and conductor Timothy Weiss in the conservatory's Clonick Hall studio, in addition to presenting the world- premiere performance of each piece on campus.

The lute reigned supreme as the instrument of choice throughout the Renaissance, but waned in popularity in the seventeenth century as keyboard instruments became more refined and widespread. Yet, it held its own in the Baroque era in certain regions, particularly in France, where large quantities of dance suites were written. Toward the end of the century, the lute enjoyed something of a revival as it became extremely popular in German-speaking countries, and in regions of central Europe. Today, it has found a home as a continuo instrument, often preferred to the harpsichord for its rich and gentle tone, and its warmer sound. Artists such as Stephen Stubbs, Lucas Harris, Daniel Swenberg and Michael Fields have brought the Baroque Lute into a new daylight, championing, post-Renaissance compositions and making it the continuo instrument of choice in a large body of vocal and chamber music. This disc of works by Johann Kropfgans brings the lute into prominence as a chamber music partner, and although the pieces are simple and most likely intended originally for amateurs, this fine ensemble brings the music to life with all the care and dedication that one might expect to go into a disc of Bach or Handel.