In addition to his famous 6-voice requiem setting, Victoria also composed a 4-voice setting which is absolutely gorgeous (and not done as often)!
Toccata and Fugue in D minor
Heard this as postlude yesterday at Smoky Mary’s in NYC - cliche or no, it's such a fun piece (and this is a fantastic recording of it)!
Orfeo, Hindemith, and the Early Music Revival
Do you know how Orfeo connects Monteverdi to Hindemith (and also why I have serious doubts about an early music piece "arranged" by basically anyone...)? Early Music Sources has the answer to this fascinating chapter of history!
Der Herr ist mit mir
A week after the season opening concerts with Handel and Haydn Society and this fantastic Buxtehude piece is still stuck in my head!
Cantare super librum
We know people improvised over chant melodies, but what did that REALLY involve, and how did it sound? Early Music Sources explains this fascinating practice!
Tomkins: Too much I once lamented
The English madrigal text "Fa la la" isn't always joyful and happy... in this poignant one from Thomas Tomkins it's downright cynical!
Weelkes: Death hath deprived me
Sometimes the most moving tribute to a composer is the music written in honor of them by their friends. For example: this achingly beautiful piece composed by Thomas Weelkes after the death of Thomas Morley.
Coffee Cantata
Missed my Coffee Cantata performance in Corvallis on Saturday? Here’s my favorite recording on YouTube.
Byrd Central
Did you know 2023 will be an anniversary year for Byrd? Check out this page with more of the details, some exciting recordings, and fun swag!
Hoc est praeceptum meum
Currently on repeat in my head: this gorgeous piece by Francisco Guerrero (sung by The Advent Choir a few years back with yours truly on S1)!
Hoc est præceptum meum -- Francisco Guerrero (1528-1599) / The Advent Choir / Jeremy Bruns, conductor /
Hoc est præceptum meum ut diligatis invicem sicut dilexi vos. Maiorem charitatem nemo habet ut animam suam ponat quis pro amicis suis. Vos amici mei estis si feceritis quæ præcipio vobis. Vos autem dixi amicos quia omnia quæcumque audivi a Patre meo nota feci vobis.
This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you; I have made known to you all that my Father has told me, and so I have called you my friends.
(John 15:12-14,15b)