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 the voice and pitch; performance practice issues such as rhythm, meter, tempo and phrasing; contextual considerations such as the number and composition... Continue Reading →
[ENG] Recitations and Reconsiderations [8/15] Musicians agonize.
Musicians agonize. Whether it be in the performance of a Bach cello suite, a Chopin nocturne, Perotinus’ Viderunt Omnes or any other piece from any other period in music history, the worries are usually big. “Is this the right bowing for the Allemande; should my left hand have a stable tempo in this nocturne, while... Continue Reading →
[ENG] Recitations and Reconsiderations [7/15] Considering the pragmatics of musicians’ creativity
In a world where the standards of living seem to rise rapidly while quality of life dwindles, “creativity” has become a buzzword used by many in a wide variety of meanings and contexts. In politics, in business, in society at large, “creativity” is linked with “innovation” to form two horses harnessed side by side and... Continue Reading →
24•03•2012 Hendrik Vanden Abeele op Radio L1 Cultuurcafé
Stem zaterdag 24 maart af op de Nederlands-Limburgse zender L1: Hendrik Vanden Abeele is er live te gast in het programma Cultuurcafé vanuit Grand Café 't Gouvernement in het Limburgs Museum, Keulsepoort 5 in Venlo. Presentatie Frans Pollux en Tom Doesborg. Hendrik praat er over de Nederlandse concerttour van Psallentes, over het onderzoek dat hij... Continue Reading →
‘Child’ is just another word for ‘Future’
Belgium has lived through a terrible tragedy this week, with 22 children (of which seven from The Netherlands and one from Germany) dying in a coach crash in a Swiss tunnel. Six adults died in the horrible crash as well, and 24 other children were wounded. Our hearts go out to the dead and the... Continue Reading →
[NL] Musica Mediaevalis 2/40 – Sankt Gallen 390-391
Aan het eind van het tijdperk van de Romeinen kwamen de christelijke kerken voorzichtig uit hun schuilkelders. Eeuwenlang had het nog jonge christendom zich gedwongen gedeisd gehouden. Desondanks had zich inmiddels al een rijke liturgische traditie ontwikkeld. Een basiskenmerk van deze liturgie was het gezongen woord. Als je voor een groep mensen je stem wil... Continue Reading →
Requiem for a site [ENG]
With a new site coming up very soon, we say goodbye to the old school black and red site that we have used since 2009. That site was made to our instructions at the design bureau apple-n in Antwerp, with thanks to Dirk Rodts. The concept was based on the notion that 'black is beautiful',... Continue Reading →
\\ Artistic practice as research tool
In the research approach to the issue of the performance of late medieval chant presented here, basically two paths have been followed. On the one hand, there was a simple desire to gain substantial theoretical and practical knowledge about the historical performance practice of plainsong, and how this practice has or has not found its... Continue Reading →
\\ Et la porte de paradis luy est ouverte [ENG]
Funny, in a way, that the March 2000 concert at which the baptism of little boy Charles was recalled, also acted as a kind of baptism of the ensemble Psallentes itself. A maiden concert. What’s more – and how coincidental can you get – this happened in the Saint Bavo cathedral, which at the time... Continue Reading →
Psallentes Oude Muziek 