Synopses & Reviews
This is the first book to survey the performing practices in English choral music in the fifteenth, sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, including the period of the English Reformation. The essays, all written by specialists in the field, consider in depth such areas as the growth and development of the 'church' choir, related issues of vocal tessitura, performing pitch, the systems of pronunciation appropriate for Latin- and English-texted music, and the day-to-day training of choristers. There is also an investigation of the local circumstances under which many of the important manuscripts of the period were compiled, which reveals an unsuspectedly close interrelationship between domestic music and music for the church. In addition, a study of surviving sources reveals that they give little more than a general guide as to their composers' and copyists' intentions.
Review
"...there is much in the book that will prove thought-provoking, stimulating, and even controversial to anyone interested in the development of the English choral tradition. Specialists who perform, edit or write on the subject will obviously find it an essential addition to their library." Fanfare"...this book contains a wealth of information....the4 book offers a variety of topics treated in great detail by several distinguished musicologists. I recommend that it be seriously considered for purchase by musical scholars of the period and their university libraries." Philip Jackson, The Sixteenth Century Journal"This volume is part of a series of studies that get in between the usual tripartite division of source/edition/performance and take a fresh look at each of them, with many valuable insights along the way." John Wagstaff, Book Reviews
Review
'... it is useful indeed to have so much information gathered into one volume.' Musical Times
Synopsis
Although the standing of English composers of choral music of the period 1440-1650 (such as Taverner, Tallis, Tye and Byrd) has long been recognised, the conditions under which their music was performed has not hitherto attracted focused scholarly scrutiny. These nine essays consider for the first time the day-to-day performing practice within this repertory, covering areas such as the evolution of the 'church' choir, performing pitch, contemporary pronunciation, the training of choristers, and the investigation of manuscript sources.
Synopsis
These nine essays consider for the first time the day-to-day performing practice of English composers of choral music of the period 1440-1650.
Table of Contents
1. To chorus from quartet: the performing resource for English church polyphony, c. 1390-1559; 2. Editing and performing musica speculativa; 3. The sound of Latin in England before and after the Reformation; 4. English pronunciation c. 1500-c. 1625; 5. Byrd, Tallis and Ferrabosco; 6. John Baldwin and changing concepts of text underlay; 7. Sacred songs in the chamber; 8. The education of choristers in England during the sixteenth century; 9. The 'burden of proof': the editor as detective.