The Toccata and Fugue in D minor might be more famous, but my favorite Bach piece for organ is the Prelude and Fugue in E-flat major, often referred to as “St. Anne” because the theme of the fugue sounds like a hymn tune with that name (I’ll let you listen to hear which hymn that is!).
Josquin
The name Josquin des Prez is thrown around a lot in Early Music circles, but how much do you really know about him? Here's a great place to start!
Catarina Martinelli
Monteverdi's Lamento d'Arianna and his magnificent Sestina are linked by one soprano - Catarina Martinelli. Never heard of her? Learn about her in Early Music Sources' video and then go listen to the Sestina!
Victoria Requiem a4
In addition to his famous 6-voice requiem setting, Victoria also composed a 4-voice setting which is absolutely gorgeous (and not done as often)!
Toccata and Fugue in D minor
Heard this as postlude yesterday at Smoky Mary’s in NYC - cliche or no, it's such a fun piece (and this is a fantastic recording of it)!
Orfeo, Hindemith, and the Early Music Revival
Do you know how Orfeo connects Monteverdi to Hindemith (and also why I have serious doubts about an early music piece "arranged" by basically anyone...)? Early Music Sources has the answer to this fascinating chapter of history!
Der Herr ist mit mir
A week after the season opening concerts with Handel and Haydn Society and this fantastic Buxtehude piece is still stuck in my head!
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!
Tomkins: Too much I once lamented
The English madrigal text "Fa la la" isn't always joyful and happy... in this poignant one from Thomas Tomkins it's downright cynical!
Weelkes: Death hath deprived me
Sometimes the most moving tribute to a composer is the music written in honor of them by their friends. For example: this achingly beautiful piece composed by Thomas Weelkes after the death of Thomas Morley.