The Orlando Consort’s latest album explores music from GuillaumeDu Fay, Heinrich Isaac, and numerous anonymous pieces. But a standard treatment of the Florentine Renaissance this is not. In conjunction with research by musicologist Patrick Macey, who authored the detailed liner notes, the album presents a surprising number of premiere recordings.
CD Review: Orlando Consort Premieres Music from Golden Age Florence Read More »
The collected essays take “voice”—with its multiple meanings—as the starting point for lively discussions on the construction of gender in medieval culture. The essays extend from 12th century Arthurian romance to Anne de Graville’s writings in the 16th century. The bulk of the book is dedicated to music of the 12th and 13th centuries, considering the troubadour and trouvère song and the polyphonic and polytextual ars antiqua motet. It draws a connection between literature and song and provides a wonderful example of how new perspectives can be found on medieval material via the application of contemporary critical tools.
Book Review: Finding ‘Voice’ in Medieval French Culture Read More »
It’s exciting to discover an up-and-coming early-music ensemble, especially one with a focus on Medieval repertory. Concordian Dawn, with its debut album, is just such an ensemble. Its theme speaks to us today: fortune, desire, and hope, in the wake of forces beyond our control. The ensemble focuses on music that depicts medieval love and loss, anger, bitterness, grief, anticipation, and joy—emotions many of us have felt over the last few years.
CD Review: A Mesmerizing Medieval Debut from Concordian Dawn Read More »
Jeannette Sorrell and Apollo’s Fire, based in Cleveland, seek the themes that unite diverse cultures in “O Jerusalem!,” an intriguing new recording that explores folk, religious, and high-art traditions. These live recordings, arranged from traditional sources and played with fire and reverence, offers a musical tour through each of the city’s four neighborhoods.
CD Review: Apollo’s Fire Seeks Unity with “O Jerusalem!” Read More »
As a society, we are finally having conversations that aim to upend systemic injustice. But there’s been curiously little discussion about the ancient hatred of antisemitism, which has seen a resurgence across the political spectrum. Even as American Jewish institutions have come under fatal attack, this conversation has taken a backseat in the early-music community.
Let’s Talk About Antisemitism in Our Field Read More »
