Medieval Music Illuminated
These unique concerts of sacred and secular medieval music will be introduced by John Griffiths, Professor of Music and Director of the Early Music Studio at the University of Melbourne.
Times: 6.30–7.30pm
Venue: Experimedia, State Library of Victoria
Bookings: 03 8664 7016 or bookings@slv.vic.gov.au
Cost: $20/$18/$15 (Full/Concession/State Library Foundation members)
Thursday 10 April
With one voice: Liturgical monophonic music, from Gregorian Chant to the late Middle Ages
Performed by e21
Although music using multiple simultaneous melodies (polyphony) marked a new direction in Western music in the 11th century, single-melody works (monophony) were composed well into the 15th century. This concert will explore the earliest roots of the Western sacred tradition along with later developments, including works from regional sources such as the great Spanish manuscripts of the Codex Calixtinus and Las Huelgas, and chants from the Poissy Antiphonal manuscript held by the State Library of Victoria.
Thursday 17 April
O Rosa Bella: Polyphonic music from the late Middle Ages
Performed by Early Voices
A performance of elegant and intense vocal polyphony from manuscripts of the 13th to 15th centuries. The program of unaccompanied songs and motets juxtaposes the rhythmically vital style of early medieval motets with the rich and fluid melodic styles that led into the Renaissance. Composers will include Philippe de Vitry, Machaut, Dunstable and Dufay.
Thursday 24 April
Monodies: Lyric song from medieval Spain and France
Performed by La Romanesca
A classic program of exquisite accompanied songs. The centrepiece is the poignant 13th-century cycle of Gallician-Portuguese Cantigas de amigo by Martim Codax, the sole surviving examples of their genre, complemented by French troubadour and trouvère poet-singer lyrics of the 12th and 13th centuries.
Illustration
Antiphonal-hymnal (detail), France, Paris, c. 1335–45, State Library of Victoria, RARES F 096. 1 R66A, fols. 294v–295 (cat. no. 25)
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