Andrew Lawrence-King, The Harp Consort – Luz Y Norte / Amores Pasados

The Harp Consort – Luz Y Norte / Amores Pasados

Released in 2002, Luz Y Norte / Amores Pasados is a striking exploration of Spanish Baroque repertoire, brought to life by The Harp Consort under the direction of harpist and conductor Andrew Lawrence-King. The album draws heavily on the 1677 collection of Lucas Ruiz de Ribayaz, presenting a vivid portrait of 17th-century Spanish instrumental music shaped by dance forms, improvisatory spirit, and ornate rhythmic energy.

Across “Luz Y Norte,” the ensemble performs a rich sequence of Baroque dances - pasacalles, folías, zarabandas, canarios, and more - using historically informed instrumentation and performance practice. The result is music that feels both meticulously reconstructed and vibrantly alive, highlighting the rhythmic vitality and expressive ornamentation of the Spanish Baroque tradition.

The second half, “Amores Pasados,” expands the palette further, blending early music sensibilities with modern compositional touches, including works associated with John Paul Jones. This fusion creates a fascinating dialogue between centuries, connecting early Iberian musical forms with contemporary reinterpretation.

Elegant, immersive, and historically rich, Luz Y Norte / Amores Pasados stands as one of The Harp Consort’s most compelling recordings - a journey through the sound world of Golden Age Spain, reimagined with sensitivity and imagination.

Tracklist:

Luz Y Norte – Lucas Ruiz de Ribayaz (Madrid 1677)
1-1. Pasacalles
1-2. Xaracas Por Primer Tono
1-3. Gallardas
1-4. Zarambeques
1-5. Chaconas Y Marionas
1-6. Preludio O Capricho Arpeado
1-7. Folias
1-8. Pabanas
1-9. Españoletas
1-10. Achas & Buelta Del Hacha
1-11. Paradetas
1-12. Zarabandas
1-13. Rugero
1-14. Bacas
1-15. Villanos
1-16. El Turdeon
1-17. Canarios
1-18. Fantasia
1-19. Galeria De Amor & Buelta
1-20. Torneo
1-21. Preludio Y Fantasia
1-22. Tarantela
1-23. Matachenes
1-24. Gaytas
1-25. El Gran Duque & Baylete

Amores Pasados
2-1. So Ell Encina (1989)
2-2. Xácaras
2-3. Al Son De Los Arroyuelos (1989)