One of my favorite pieces by Henry Purcell is perfect for the liturgical season of Lent (which we're in right now), and also for reflecting on the day the freelance musician world crashed to a halt 3 years ago. It's amazing to hear what he can create with two melodic ideas and a simple bit of text!
Sancho and the legacy of horn players
Every article about Charles Ignatius Sancho provides a little more info - this time it’s about his use of horns in his compositions and the legacy of horn players at the time!
Alternate Psalm 51
Ash Wednesday is this week, known to many fellow sopranos as "Allegri day". But there are so many fantastic settings of Psalm 51 that could be used instead... Like this gorgeous one!
Wilbye Weep mine eyes
Here's another fantastic recording from I Fagiolini - this time it's one of my favorite madrigals by John Wilbye! No fa la la's, no nymphs and shepherds, and no romping through the forests - this one is all about the pains of love.
Byrd Nunc dimittis
2023 is the 400th anniversary of the death of William Byrd, so what better Nunc dimittis to share than his? This fantastic piece is taken from his collection “Gradualia” and is one of my favorite settings of possibly my favorite text!
Il gioca dell'oca
Ever wondered what it would be like if early music was a movie? I Fagiolini did exactly this with Giovanni Croce’s “Il gioca dell’oca” from 1595! Have a watch/listen and enjoy!
Castrati
Castrati... Not music history’s finest hour. Here’s a good survey of WHY this was a thing, courtesy of Early Music Sources!
Baroque lute construction
Need 5 minutes of beauty this morning? How about this video showing some of the artistry that goes into making a baroque lute (and some gorgeous playing of said lute)!
More Lusitano!
Looking for "new" early music to explore? Why not dive into the gorgeous music of Vicente Lusitano? Read more here!
John Antes
How about a New World musician for a New Year's post? Meet John Antes in this great read from Early Music America!
