Messiah isn’t the only major musical work done during the Christmas season. Bach’s Christmas Oratorio is made up of 6 cantatas for different major events in the Christmas story, starting on Christmas Day and going all the way through the Epiphany. Read more about it here!
Salty Solstice
Combining Early Music Monday with a little self-promotion... if you're looking for a holiday event that's a bit more relaxed and fun and equal parts old favorites and new excitement, come hear me sing with my dear friends in Seven Times Salt tomorrow! Concerts at 4:30pm and 7:30pm in Newton, and we'd love to see you there! More info available here
Let all the angels of God
Delayed a bit this morning by a rehearsal in NYC for Messiah this week with the NY Phil! But I'll make up for it by letting you in on a secret - my favorite chorus in Messiah is "Let all the angels of God", and it's often one of the first ones to be cut! Have a listen here and see what you've been missing!
Branle de l'officiel
I mentioned last year that "Lo, how a rose" is one of the instrumental movements from Michael Praetorius' "Dances from Terpsichore". This year's Renaissance Tune turned Christmas Carol is "Branle de l'officiel", and how much more fun is it with drums, shawms, and dulcians?!
Bach: Prelude and Fugue in E-flat major ("St. Anne")
The Toccata and Fugue in D minor might be more famous, but my favorite Bach piece for organ is the Prelude and Fugue in E-flat major, often referred to as “St. Anne” because the theme of the fugue sounds like a hymn tune with that name (I’ll let you listen to hear which hymn that is!).
Josquin
The name Josquin des Prez is thrown around a lot in Early Music circles, but how much do you really know about him? Here's a great place to start!
Catarina Martinelli
Monteverdi's Lamento d'Arianna and his magnificent Sestina are linked by one soprano - Catarina Martinelli. Never heard of her? Learn about her in Early Music Sources' video and then go listen to the Sestina!
Victoria Requiem a4
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!