Vihuelist Ariel Abramovich

Justin Coe welcomes to the studio vihuelist Ariel Abramovich, who this weekend presents his new album "Imaginario" at the Aranjuez Early Music Festival. Born in Argentina, Ariel Abramovich currently lives in Spain, where the vihuela was a popular instrument in the 16th century. The plucked vihuela de mano replaced the lute in Spain, and "Imaginario" is a sort of "imaginary songbook" put together by Abramovich as a virtual eighth vihuela songbook. Ariel Abramovich talks about his chosen instrument and about the early music he loves, and we listen to several pieces from the new album. From "Imaginario," released this year on the Arcana label of Outhere Music France and featuring the wonderful, magical voice of soprano María Cristina Kiehr, with Ariel Abramovich accompanying on the vihuela, we hear: "O dulce contemplación" (Juan Vasquez, c 1500 - c 1560), "Chiare, fresche et dolci acque"* (Jacques Arcadelt, c 1504 - 1568), "Quien dice que l'ausencia causa olvido" (Juan Vasquez), "Se per colpa del vostro fiero sdegno" (Jacques Arcadelt).
* In this song Ariel Abramovich is joined in the accompaniment by fellow vihuelist Jacob Heringman.