Is imitation the highest form of flattery? What about forgery? Early Music Sources takes on period composition with some GREAT stories of scandal and deliberate misattribution, as well as previews of some current composers worth exploring!
Editions
Why sing from an edition when you could sing from a source? What makes a good edition? Thanks to Early Music Sources for explaining why editions matter in this fantastic video!
P.S. One exception: if there were neumes, sing from neumes. Otherwise I'm all for using a good edition!
Higher Ed Early Music Programs
Years ago, it was this listing of Higher Ed Early Music Programs that helped me find the path I'm on now! Know someone who is looking for opportunities to study/perform Early Music in college or grad school? Have them check out this list!
Gaudete!
Just in time for Christmas - Early Music Sources digs into the story behind Gaudete (and why I sang two different versions of the verse tune in concerts this December)!
Why bad performances are bad
What makes a "good" performance?
- stand as close to each other as possible
- no diminutions!
- only perform occasionally
- parts (and performers) should be in their best range
For other historical opinions about "good" or "bad" performances, check out this video from Early Music Sources! (The "good" part starts ~17:00).
Conductors - what did they do?
We all know the story of Lully hitting himself in the foot while conducting and dying of gangrene, but what DID conducting really look like? When were ensembles conducted and when were they led collaboratively? Early Music Sources explores what we know about conducting in the 16th-18th centuries!
Lorenzo Penna
Meet Lorenzo Penna, courtesy of Early Music Sources!
Some highlights:
- musicians should learn to sing and learn counterpoint BEFORE learning a keyboard instrument
- added flat 9ths (because, yes!)
- More is more!
CPDL Index
Looking for repertoire appropriate for a particular Christian liturgical occasion? CPDL has an index for that, especially useful when programming around certain seasons, themes, or texts!
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!
Bach's Choir
Everyone has opinions about how to present Bach- here's what we actually know (and don't know), courtesy of Early Music Sources!