Have you ever heard a song and thought "I know this one, but with different words"? Welcome to the world of contrafacta! Early Music Sources explains the tradition of having multiple texts to the same tune (sometimes in translation, but not always)! Plus, do you know where Morley found "Now is the month of Maying"?
Dédé's "Morgiane"
It's admittedly a stretch calling this "Early Music", but it's too exciting (and too important) to not share! Bringing Morgiane Back to Life
Ludwig Daser
Student of Ludwig Senfl, later replaced by Orlando di Lasso in Münich, but a tremendous composer whose music doesn't get the attention it should! Meet Ludwig Daser!
Name that genre...
Today's #EarlyMusicMonday
- dates back to the 1600s
- is frequently used as a basis for composers/arrangers
- has no authentic "original source"
- has a very specific style, best learned from those who have experience in it (rather than from books)
.... did you guess Black American spirituals?
Bajón
Ever heard of a bajón? Meet the renaissance predecessor to the bassoon, also known as a dulcian or a curtal (depending on which country you were in). This instrument came in different sizes and was played in consorts, wind bands, and later as a continuo instrument!
Gabrieli Canzon No. 2
One of my guilty pleasures is the Gabrieli album by the National Brass Ensemble. It may not be sackbuts and cornetti, but sometimes "early music" means playing in a stylish way no matter the instrument. And this recording is fantastic and there is no way anyone can have a bad day with this much trombone and tuba on a bass line. Can you tell I married a brass player?
Ach mein herzliebes Jesulein
Last week Teresa Wakim reminded me of this beautiful duet by Johann Schelle (one of my favorite pre-Bach German composers)!
Juan de Araujo
My ear worm for the last week has been this fun piece by Juan de Araujo (Ruben warned us this would happen...). No matter what holiday you're celebrating this week, I hope there are lovely people, delicious food, and restorative naps!
Galant Style
Melody, melody, more melody, turnips, and cabbages! ... or, what came after the high Baroque (and Bach). Things had become too complex (apparently) so the pendulum swung back toward something simpler to listen to and understand. Early Music Sources explains how that worked!
Sulpitia Cesis
While reading about music in convents in Italy I came across someone new! Meet Sulpitia Cesis!