Domenico Scarlatti's keyboard music gets more attention but he also wrote vocal music, including this beautiful 10-voice setting of the "Stabat Mater" which I learned for the first time this past week!
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!
Bayard Rustin
Many people recognize the name "Bayard Rustin" in connection with the Civil Rights movement. But what do you know about Bayard Rustin, the musician?
Israel in Egypt
Did you miss Handel and Haydn Society's "Israel in Egypt" this past October? You can listen to the performance here!
Tallis - Videte miraculum
Most singers first encounter Thomas Tallis through one of his English anthems (often "If ye love me"), but it's his Latin polyphony that I enjoy the most - like this piece which I sang last weekend for Candlemas.
Leonarda - Ave Regina Coelorum
Research about Isabella Leonarda led me to this amazing piece!
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!
Blessed are those that be undefiled
THIS PIECE. Somehow I've never shared this as part of my Early Music Monday series, and it's time. This is the piece that started my love of polyphony. Eighteen-year-old me nearly drove off the road when the "Gloria" began and I had to pull over and finish listening.
Blessed are those that be undefiled in the way and walk with the Lord. Blessed are they that keep his testimonies and seek him with their whole heart, for they that do no wickedness walk in his ways. Thou has charged us, O Lord, that we should diligently keep thy commandments. O that our ways were made so direct that we might keep thy statutes. So shall we not be confounded while we have respect unto all thy commandments. - Psalm 119:1-6
Domine quis habitabit
Is anything by Robert Parsons NOT amazing? This beautiful piece has been stuck in my head for over a week now.
New Years Gift
How about a piece for the new year? This galliard was written by Anthony Holborne and given to Queen Elizabeth I.