Spring Break
EME revives Renaissance-era music
by Hannah Kirsch
Deputy Editor
Arts | 11/25/08
Posted online at 1:01 AM EST on 11/25/08
One particular rarity in the Gorham Collection is a collection of partbooks of the music of Carlo Gesualdo. Not only are the alto parts the only ones extant in the United States, but, according to Katherine Schram '09, "the really interesting thing about the harmonies in Gesualdo is that he predates or predicts in several ways 20th-century harmonies ... [His] use of counterpoint and chromatic notes is pretty similar to how a lot of composers, once they left tonality in the 20th century, used notes as well." Hoberman, Mead and Schram agree that Gesualdo and his contemporaries provide modern listeners with auditory experiences not often found in concert halls that might focus on providing Brahms and Beethoven. Early music "is written in a whole different way, in a different tradition that has a whole lot of beauty," says Hoberman. Mead says that she was particularly drawn to how early music "emphasizes equality and interdependence among all the parts while still requiring a high level of rhythmic and melodic sophistication from each individual," unifying music, speech and prayer.
The Early Music Ensemble will perform the Gesualdo and other medieval and Renaissance works at 3 p.m. Dec. 7 in Slosberg Recital Hall.
The Early Music Ensemble will perform the Gesualdo and other medieval and Renaissance works at 3 p.m. Dec. 7 in Slosberg Recital Hall.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Jerome Hoberman '78
posted 12/04/08 @ 12:25 AM EST
Congratulations on this article and especially to Al Hoberman and this brilliant project. One small correction, though -- the Early Music Ensemble is certainly more than 26 years old. (Continued…)
Pearl Hoberman
posted 12/04/08 @ 12:28 AM EST
What a thrilling project! Let's hope that this concert of the EME is the start of an ongoing revival of the great music of the past. Without such revivals, in time this great music can be lost. (Continued…)
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