That time a theorist retconned Palestrina ... and also summarized an entire year of grad school in less than an hour. Early Music Sources explains Gradus ad Parnassum!
Gesualdo Tristis est anima mea
I'm on a bit of a kick with the settings of "Tristis est anima mea"... this week's example is by Gesualdo!
Kuhnau Tristis est anima mea
Lassus' version of this text might be my favorite, but there's a reason Bach parodied the one by Kuhnau! (P.S. H+H is doing this piece this week in a program of all vocal music! Come if you're in town!)
Lassus Tristis est anima mea
Kuhnau's setting of "Tristis set anima mea" is gorgeous (and on a concert I'm singing next weekend), but Lassus' version is my favorite. Extra points if you follow the translation (in the description box) and catch how Lassus used the music to emphasize the meaning of the words!
Purcell Trumpet Tune
The trumpet tune you thought of last week? The other one? This one is by Purcell (and was the recessional at my wedding)!
Jeremiah Clarke
You know that trumpet thing that gets played at weddings? No, not that one. The other one. Here's who actually wrote it! ... and as a spoiler alert, he met with a dramatic end by his own hand.
Mass in G minor
This fantastic piece by Bach is still ringing in my head from a glorious concert with The Bach Project on Saturday evening! (This is not our recording, sadly).
Count von Sporck
In writing program notes for next weekend's concert with The Bach Project, I came across this important figure who may or may not have been the intended recipient of Bach's four "Lutheran Masses"! Meet Count Frantisek Antonin von Sporck!
Easter and the women
I'm reflecting on this Easter Monday about how much gorgeous Renaissance music for Easter is about the women coming to the tomb... like this beautiful piece by Taverner for Easter Day.
Harriett Abrams
Meet Harriett Abrams! She studied with Thomas Arne, who composed an opera specifically for her. She participated in festivals of Handel's music, and Haydn accompanied her on the piano! She also composed her own pieces, and appeared in concerts organized by Johann Peter Salomon.