Our Music

As a token of our appreciation, we are delighted to share with you our recordings of Coventry Carol and We Wish You a Merry Christmas.

Coventry Carol is a contemporary setting of a hauntingly beautiful 16th-century carol that reflects on the Nativity story with solemn reverence and poignant harmonies, arranged by American composer Kira Zeeman Rugen, while We Wish You a Merry Christmas offers a lively and jubilant expression of festive cheer, embodying the joy and togetherness of the season. Together, these pieces capture the spirit of the holidays, blending reflection with celebration. Both carols were performed earlier this month by our long-time partner, Cantiamo! Cabrillo, as part of their annual “Concert for a Winter’s Eve” in Santa Cruz and Carmel.

May the melodies of this season bring you joy, peace, and cherished moments with loved ones.

From all of us at Ensemble Monterey, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with harmony and happiness.

Pierné’s Ballet de Cour captures the elegance and charm of 16th-century French court dances, with a modern twist. Originally composed as a set of keyboard pieces, Pierné rescored the ballet for a small orchestra in 1905. Each dance in this suite pays homage to the royal courts of 16th-century France, combining authenticity with a refreshing and witty touch.

Enjoy this excerpt of the Ballet de Cour below.

In 1908, French composer Maurice Ravel crafted Ma Mère l’Oye (Mother Goose), a charming piano suite inspired by beloved fairy tales. Originally written for the children of his friends, Ravel created this piece to capture “the poetry of childhood” with simple, graceful melodies and clear, enchanting harmonies. The suite’s delicate orchestration and imaginative scenes reflect Ravel’s own childlike spirit and fascination with whimsical worlds. In 1912, Ravel expanded the suite into a ballet, adding new scenes and interludes. The orchestral suite includes five magical movements: Pavane, Tom Thumb, Laideronette, Beauty and the Beast, and The Enchanted Garden.

Enjoy a brief recording of the fifth movement The Enchanted Garden below.

Aaron Copland’s Clarinet Concerto is a unique work that blends classical, jazz, and Latin influences. Commissioned in 1950 by jazz icon Benny Goodman, the concerto was a natural fit for Copland, whose compositions often drew on jazz and folk traditions. Known for its single-movement structure, the piece begins with a lush, lyrical opening that transitions into an energetic, jazz-inspired cadenza. This section, often considered one of the most challenging for clarinetists, is followed by vibrant rhythms that reflect Copland’s love for the music of Mexico.

Our concert featured clarinetist Bruce Foster, who has performed the Clarinet Concerto internationally.

Enjoy the audio below of the Clarinet Concerto Finale as Copland’s vision is brought to life in this distinctive American classic.

Charles Ives, born in 1874 in rural Danbury, Connecticut, was the son of George Ives, a Civil War band leader turned local music teacher, known for his innovative approach to music. Charles inherited his father’s experimental spirit, graduating in music from Yale and working as an organist before moving to New York’s insurance industry, where he found financial success.

Despite his business career, Ives composed music on weekends, pioneering an “American” style. His Third Symphony, inspired by the camp meetings of his youth, won a Pulitzer Prize (which Ives famously declined). This work integrates hymns like Oh for a Thousand Tongues and What a Friend We Have in Jesus, capturing the spirit and sound of a unique American experience.

Ives’s groundbreaking use of American themes paved the way for composers like Copland and Bernstein, securing his legacy as America’s first true musical innovator.