One of my favorite grad school memories was singing this ouroboros of a piece with one of my colleagues and getting to nerd out about how brilliant Machaut was. The notes on the video explain how the form works (reversing lines, switching parts, etc).
Early Band
In an ideal K-12 music education setting, major ensemble options are choir, band, or orchestra. But in the professional early music world, it's mostly just choir or orchestra. Where's the band?
Johann Pachelbel
Aside from the Canon in D, what do you know about Pachelbel? He was a predecessor to Bach, taught one of J.S. Bach's older brothers, was essential to the development of the chorale prelude, and had a son who emigrated to the US!
Thomas Arne
Meet Thomas Arne! Composer (primarily for theater) and brother to famous singer Susannah (Arne) Cibber!
Senfl riffs on Mille regretz?
This piece (possibly by Senfl) bears a striking resemblance to Josquin's "Mille regrets" and wouldn't be the first time Senfl borrowed from the master.
Mille Regretz (the recording)
Several years ago I posted a video about Josquin's composition of "Mille regretz" - a song whose entire message is "It's so awful to leave you that I think I'd rather die". But somehow I never actually posted the song! Here it is, somewhat belatedly!
Gradus ad Parnassum
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!