Le titre, Tota pulchra es, amica mea, est tiré de la première antienne de l’office des Premières Vêpres de l’Assomption, selon l’Antiphonarium ad usum Cameracensis eccelsiae (1235-1245) de la bibliothèque municipale de Cambrai. La première partie du concert permet d’entendre cet office dont plusieurs fragments sont traités à la manière d’organa ou de déchants, afin... Continue Reading →
It could be argued that musician’s creativity, and even creativity in general, exists in a limited and limitless dialogue with oneself, with theoretical concepts and the (artistic) material. As a scientist and an artist, as an engineer and a bricoleur, as a creator and a destroyer, the performer-researcher chooses (or chooses not to choose) between... Continue Reading →
Today’s chant singer researching a performance practice for late medieval chant is faced with many questions. These include questions concerning language and vocal techniques, such as the proper pronunciation of Latin, use of voice and pitch; performance practice issues such as rhythm, metre, tempo and phrasing; contextual considerations such as the number and composition of... Continue Reading →
The Invitation. Phone call from Spanish agent. ‘Lamentations’ in April 2010, during Cuenca’s Semana Santa. Good memories of previous engagements over there. First time somewhere in the nineties. Two years ago a Via Crucis - not that rewarding. Good public response though. The Lamentations. Nine quite interchangeable fragments of Jeremiah’s Lamentations. Last one a prayer.... Continue Reading →
One extremely sobering and in some ways stimulating thought for a researcher and performer of late medieval chant is the fact that no contemporary treatise, nor any study ever since, nor any recording ever made or concert sung provides the definitive answer to the question of how to perform chant from late medieval sources. This... Continue Reading →
Psallentes Oude Muziek 