A Melodious Treasure

This summer, the early music icon, Aston Magna, will present its 41st summer festival. This group caters to early music aficionados and music lovers of all persuasions. The listener is afforded the exquisite opportunity to hear masterpieces played on period instruments and to learn about the origins of the repertoire. Performances will be held at Bard for three Fridays in June and two in July.

The story of Aston Magna’s creation and location is intertwined with that of its founder: Lee Elman. In the sixties, during his search for “a four-season area for cultural activities,” Elman chose to rent in the Berkshires. In actuality, his association with the area dates back to an even earlier time: 1941, the year of his first visit to Tanglewood.

Elman who sees himself as “one of the pioneers from a cultural point of view,” put down roots in 1971 with the purchase of his stately home, the eponymous Aston Magna. There, on top of a hill, the musical foundation and festival were born. The property’s former owner Albert Spalding, a prominent violinist in his day, chose the name. The original Aston Magna - which means upper high town - is located in Gloucestershire England and was a favorite picnic spot for Spalding and his wife. Both sites share a similar topography - a hilltop overlooking a valley, in close proximity to a town.

Elman has visited Aston Magna in England. “Frankly, the view in the Berkshires is much better,” he related.

When starting a music festival, one might assume that the founder would choose his preferred genre as its focus. In this case, the tale is far more interesting. The first step Elman took was to search for an artistic director who fit the following criteria: famous musician, affiliation with a school,leadership capabilities and, most importantly, someone who wanted to establish an egocentric foundation in a fixed location. Albert Fuller, a top harpsichordist; Julliard professor; leader of musicians and weary traveller, fit the bill. Since his specialty was baroque music, mostly French, it became the mainstay of Aston Magna.

This summer, the program will include many perennial favorites as well as several undiscovered gems. The season opens with a concert featuring the chalumeau, an early clarinet. On June 29, Soprano Dominique Labelle joins the group on stage at the Mahaiwe (all other concerts will be held at Simon’s Rock in Great Barrington). On July 13, Aston Magna will freature selections from Thomas Jefferson’s library including some composed by Maria Cosway, his lover for a time.

An added bonus to each musical evening is a pre-concert lecture based on the evening’s program. Artistic Director, Daniel Stepner, explained that these talks will explain “how to understand it (the music) in its original context.”

For additional information astonmagna.org