English Choral Practice, 1400–1650 (Cambridge Studies in Performance Practice, Series Number 5) - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0521544084 ISBN 13: 9780521544085

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2003

Synopsis

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.

About this title

Book Description

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.

Review

'... it is useful indeed to have so much information gathered into one volume.' Musical Times

Edition details

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2003
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0521544084
• ISBN 13: 9780521544085
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 264
• Editor: Morehen John