There are many pieces for the feast of the Epiphany (coming up this Wednesday), but my favorite straddles the line between sacred and secular with a healthy dose of mysticism!
Praetorius Magnificat
A hybrid of "Joseph lieber, Joseph mein", "In dulci jubilo", and an epic magnificat setting... does it get better than that?
Iconography - helpful or not?
How much can art inform us about musical practice in the past, and how much does it just get in the way? Early Music Sources finds out (with some really pretty paintings)!
Laetentur coeli
Another Byrd motet for Advent, this time his "Laetentur coeli"!
How to improvise polyphony
Improvisation - it’s not just for jazz musicians! Early Music Sources gives a fantastic exploration of polyphonic improvisation according to the work of Tomás de Santa Maria!
Rorate caeli
A Byrd motet for the season of Advent, sung by the Choir of the Church of the Advent two years ago.
Sweelinck's Hexachord Fantasia
Scales are fine for practicing, but what would a composer do with one? Early Music Sources steps us through the brilliant Hexachord Fantasia of Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck!
Siderum Rector
Another of my favorite Byrd motets, Siderum Rector, with a beautiful request for forgiveness.
Inclusive Early Music
Curious what topics and people have been left out of mainstream early music history? Definitely check out this fantastic resource!
Justorum Animae
There's a Byrd motet for every season and emotion, including this beauty for All Saints Day.