Medieval Music Performance 2015

4th International Course on Medieval Music Performance (12-14th century) takes place in Besalú in July

The International Course on Medieval Music Performance offers singers and instrumentalists the possibility to study monophonic and polyphonic repertoires composed from the 12th to the 14th centuries. The course is organized in the medieval surroundings of Besalú, a small town in Norther Catalonia in Spain. Besalú is one of the most important and better-preserved medieval towns of Catalonia (Spain). It was already important during the 10th century as the capital of an independent county. In 1966, it was declared a “National Historic-Artistic Ensemble” due to its high medieval architectural significance. Strolling through the medieval streets and squares, we find the monumental Romanesque churches of Sant Pere and Sant Vicenç, the Romanesque hospital of Sant Pau, a majestic bridge with two defensive towers that was built over the river Fluvià during the same period, the Jewish quarter and its miqveh or jewish ritual bath, the Gothic Palace of the Royal Curia with is wide hall, and a series of medieval secular buildings spread out through the different neighborhoods. All these different patrimonial elements make the village a truly ideal place to conduct the International Course on Medieval Music Performance.

The course masterfully combines rigorous musicological research with a vibrant reconstruction of performance practice.

The main objectives are:

• The study of different repertoires composed between 1100 and 1350.
• The interpretation of the different music notational systems that record the repertoires.
• The study of a historically-informed ways of singing and playing musical instruments that are appropriate for the different repertoires of the course. This includes vocal production, articulation, diction, tuning, and ornamentation.
• The development of ensemble techniques appropriate to the performance of each repertoire.
• The production of a concert for the closing of the course (Chant program and Vocal & Instrumental Program).

Special sessions are:

• Vocal & Instrumental Program: Monophonic and polyphonic repertoires of the 12th and 13th centuries.
• Chant Program: For directors and performers interested in the context and performance of Plainchant.
• Ars Nova Program: French secular music from the first half of the 14th century.
• Pythagorean Tuning Workshop: For singers and instrumentalists to work on Pythagorean tuning in the context of monophonic and polyphonic music.
• Chamber Music Sessions in conjunction with the Vocal & Instrumental Program: Work in detail with small groups of mixed voices and instruments. Taken as part of the Voice & Instrument Program.

Luthiers: Medieval musical instruments by our specialized makers.

4th International Course on Medieval Music Performance
Besalù, Catalonia
04.07.2015 – 12.07.2015

FEATURED PHOTO: Intense Moment in Besalú 2014