Whenever Jordi Savall and his various ensembles play, the event isn’t just about music. Performances by the Catalan conductor, gamba player, and musical researcher combine the highest artistic quality with a humanistic message: “We artists are tasked with keeping hope alive” is his credo.

Jordi Savall holds the title “artist for peace” from UNESCO, while the European Union named him an “ambassador for intercultural dialogue.” And for good reason. To begin with, Savall weaves the musics of various cultures together into his repertoire, including Muslim, Jewish, and Christian sources. At the same time, his performances focus on celebrating ideas of beauty and peace: They provide comfort and encouragement.  For he is convinced that music can alleviate suffering and even save lives: “The Jews who were expelled from Spain in 1492 created a music that was full of peace. Within it there existed a magic formula that allowed them to forget all oppression.”

His goal is to provide a concert experience that makes listeners happy. “I believe our audience feels that the pieces we play are as immediate as a language of the heart,” explains Savall. “Music creates empathy.” And his choice of repertoire has an important role in this: “We play only works that we love, not pieces that are loved because they are well known.” Monteverdi’s “Vespers” – which Jordi Savall performs on 12 April at LUCERNE FESTIVAL – has always ranked among his favorites. What stirs him is of course the spiritual quality of this music, but also the shift in perspective it entails. His performance invites us to embark on a journey through time, illuminating the art of a seemingly distant era so that it comes to life and touches us directly. Listen for yourself: