European Day of Early Music, 21 March 2017

There's a party on 21 March, the day of the spring solstice, and all Early Music lovers are invited to join! For the fifth straight year, the European Network for Early Music (more commonly known by its French initials, REMA), is organizing the European Day of Early Music (EDEM). The only association of its kind in Europe, REMA was founded in 2000 and now numbers some 80 member organizations in 20 countries. Among other things, it promotes the rediscovery and performance of early music in historically inspired interpretations and on period instruments.

Each year since 2012, the anniversary of Johann Sebastian Bach's birthdate has provided a welcome pretext to showcase performances of medieval, Renaissance and Baroque music throughout Europe and beyond, often by young talent, the stars of tomorrow in the early music field.

The celebration has been lavishly praised by the world's leading figures in early music. "Perhaps in this sad world we are living now," says William Christie, "culture is one of the things that could allow us to survive." Jordi Savall adds: "Like one of Dostoyevsky's characters, who says that 'beauty will save the world', we also believe in art which is useful to society."

The dozens of exciting concerts featured in the 2017 EDEM span the entire gamut of music before 1750, and celebrate a heritage that spans over 1000 years of musical history. While previous editions have taken place under the patronage of UNESCO and the European Commissionner for Culture, the 2017 edition is supported by numerous artists such as Enrico Onofri, Skip Sempé, Olga Paschchenko or Hervé Niquet.

While many concerts will take place all over Europe, a part of them will be streamed live online on EDEM’s facebook page, bachtrack.com and remaradio.eu. The European Broadcasting Union and Total Baroque are media partners of the event.

www.earlymusicday.eu
www.rema-eemn.net
www.remaradio.eu