Medieval harmony
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Anyone who knows of any great recordings of God medieval harmonized sacred music.
And are there any other resources for those who want to learn more about medieval harmony.
I am only really learning and playing/singing post-medieval harmony in which sixths and thirds are the norm.
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The music of Johannes Ciconia, Leonel Power, John Dunstable, Guillaume de Machaut, and Guillaume Dufay come immediately to mind, as composers of the late Medieval era leading to and even encroaching into the early Renaissance era. Here are a few excellent examples (a few are secular) from YouTube.
Johannes Ciconia: Prolation Canon, " Le ray au soleyl" ... an astounding, complex composition in prolation canon.
Johannes Ciconia: Merce o morte ... more traditional(?) style which points the way to the Franco-Flemish Renaissance.
Leonel Power (1370/1385-1445) - Gloria ... bridging the late Medieval and early Renaissance eras (along with Johannes Ciconia).
Medieval Music - Ave Regina coelorum by Leonel Power ... one of the finest examples of Power's style.
Ave Regina - Leonel Power ... another example.
Medieval music - Beata progenies by Leonel Power ... beautifully sung by Lumina Vocal Ensemble.
Leonel Power: Credo (The Hilliard Ensemble) ... this Credo speaks for itself, the late Medieval style evident.
Medieval music - Mater, ora Filium by Leonel Power ... another lucid performance by Lumina Vocal Ensemble.
Medieval music - Quam pulchra es by John Dunstaple ... late Medieval to early Renaissance composer, much in the style of Leonel Power, performed by Lumina Vocal Ensemble.
John Dunstable (1380-1453) - Salve scema sanctitatis ... more typically Medieval in style.
John Dunstable - Veni Sancte Spiritus/Veni Creator Spiritus ... performed flawlessly by Pomerium with scrolling score video which illustrates the different musical elements.
Dunstable: Quam pulchra es ... another Dunstable gem, for 3 voices, with score.
Machaut Rondeau 14, "Ma fin est mon commencement" (crab canon over a palindrome) ... A Medieval masterpiece by Guillaume de Machaut (c. 1300 — 1377).
Guillaume Dufay - Ave Maris Stella ... Guillaume Dufay is regarded both as a late Medieval and as an early Renaissance composer, whose elegant style is a synthesis of both Ciconia and Power. This is a favourite of mine, which I always enjoy hearing and singing ... here sung with incredible sensitivity by Pomerium (one of whose sopranos was a former singer with me in Zephyrus).
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A few more examples for variety, still barely scratching the surface.
Medieval music - In Rama sonat gemitus, Anon 12th century ... 'In Rama sonat gemitus' (The sound of weeping is heard in Rama), c.1165-1170 ... sung, over a soft drone, by Lumina Vocal Ensemble with great effect.
Medieval Music - Ave Regina coelorum by Leonel Power ... (different rendition than my previous post) immensely satisfying performance by Lumina Vocal Ensemble.
Music of the Middle Ages; The Early Motet ... Five early motets, performed by The Hilliard Ensemble (with score):
1. O Maria, maris stella (single-texted three-voice motet)
2. O Maria virgo, O Maria, maris stella (double motet)
3. Quand je parti (two-voice motet)
4. En nom Dieu - Quand voi - Eius in oriente (double motet)
5. Trop sovent - Brunete - In seculum (double motet)
Leonel Power (1370/1385-1445) - Gloria ... a Gloria by Leonel Power, exemplary.
John Dunstable (1380-1453) - Sancta Maria, non est tibi similis ... another Dunstable gem.
Poligena exanimes – Petrus Wilhelmi de Grudencz ... an Easter song for two voices, discovered in 2017 but from the 1430s, more Medieval in style by Petrus Wilhelmi de Grudencz.
Medieval music - Vos qui admiramini by Philippe de Vitry ... Philippe de Vitry (1291-1361), composer, music theorist and renown poet. Believed to have written the defining treatise on Ars Nova in 1322, after which this musical stylistic period is known. This piece: "Not only a great medieval love song, this also displays intense religious fervour. It demonstrates the close link between religious and secular love during the medieval period, and in particular the adoration of the Virgin Mary." Sung by Lumina Vocal Ensemble.
Baude Cordier: Circle Canon, "Tout par compas" (MANUSCRIPT ANIMATION) ... Secular, not sacred, but an excellent example of the genius and complexity in this Circle Canon, complete with manuscript animation.
Polish Medieval Music, Mikolaj z Radomia (XV w. / 15th Century), Magnificat ... a Magnificat from early Polish master Nicolaus Radom.
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You may want to check out the following:
'Medieval Music and the art of Memory"--By Anna Marie Busse Burger
'Micrologus' by Guido d'Arezzo
Both discuss harmonizing chant
Thanked by 1Incardination
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