CEMS Mini-Courses, Fall 2017

During the 2017 Fall semester, the Center for Early Music Studies will offer two mini courses, by producer Brad Michel (September 30-October 1), and by conductor, musicologist, and performer Joshua Rifkin (December 7-14-21-28), Joshua Rifkin (December 6-7), and by lutenist Catherine Liddell (January 31-February 1).  Students wishing to register for these courses, which carry one elective Musicology credit, should enroll in MH 629 Early Music Studies.

30 September  – 1 October 2017
Brad Michel – Grammy Award-Winning Producer

MH 629 B1: Recording Early Music

Course Overview

A hands on discussion of elements that will make you a better and more informed musician at a recording session, better able to record yourself and provide you with knowledge to enhance the presentation of your artistry on recorded media.

College of Fine Arts, 855 Commonwealth Ave.
Saturday 9/30 & Sunday 10/1, from 10-1 pm and 2-5 pm, Rm 426

2-3 December 2017 
Joshua Rifkin (Boston University / The Bach Ensemble)  MH 629 A1: Singing and Playing Bach

Course Overview

These sessions, for singers – and instrumentalists – interested in performing the vocal works of J. S. Bach, will concentrate on the interpretation of recitatives and arias, but potentially of ensemble movements as well. I intend to devote the first session to recitatives, considering questions of textual style and content; text, music, and notation; and manner(s) of accompaniment. Work on arias will follow. For singers, this will again focus on textual-musical relationships, although obviously from a somewhat different angle. For instrumentalists, we shall consider their role both as solo actors and partners to the voice.

As indicated, if there is a sufficient number and distribution of singers to form an ensemble, we shall also look into questions of delivery in choral numbers. We shall have appropriate keyboard instruments for continuo realization. Pitch will be a’ = 415 Hz, possibly also a’ = 465 Hz if early cantatas will figure among the repertory.

I shall appreciate it if participants let me know in advance any specific items they have in mind to work on – and also if they have questions not mentioned above that they would like to see addressed.

College of Fine Arts, 855 Commonwealth Ave, Room TBA

Saturday 12/2 & Sunday 12/3, from 10-1 pm and 2-5 pm.