CEMS Residencies & Mini-Courses, Fall 2018

During the Fall 2018 – 2019 semesters, the Center for Early Music Studies will offer four mini courses, by Italian early music tenor Gian Paolo Fagotto and theorbist David Dolata (October 7-8), medieval specialist and Director of the Boston Camerata, Anne Azéma, early music recordings  producer Brad Michel (February 9-10) , and vihuelist and musicologist Ralph Maier (April 6-7).  Students wishing to register for the mini-courses, which carry one elective Musicology credit, should enroll in MH 629 Early Music Studies. Auditors are welcome.

7-8 October 2018

Gian Paolo Fagotto, tenor (Il Terzo Suono, Italy) & David Dolata, theorbo (Il Furioso / Florida International University)

MH 629 A1: : “Early 17th-Century Italian Monody and its Origins: A Practical Guide for Performers”
College of Fine Arts, 855 Commonwealth Ave, 10-1 pm & 2-5 pm both days, Marshall Room (2nd floor)

Mini-Course Overview

To understand the performance and essential background of Italian monody of the early 17th century – including the works of Monteverdi in this style – it is important to study the way singers of the Renaissance reduced polyphonic works (madrigals, canzonettas, etc.) into solo-song versions with lute accompaniment,  a style that is at the root of monody.  In this mini-course, we will examine this and other early stages in the development of monody from the middle of the 16th century and isolate their distinguishing characteristics. Since, the birth of the recitative style introduced not only a new relationship between music and text, but also new and unique methods of performance, we will examine the many expressive devices that are possible in this music.  In addition, we will survey the main sources describing  the vocal techniques that are fundamental to this music, including vocal delivery, the use of embellishments, and the technique of making diminutions.

***

    10-11 November 2018
    Anne Azéma (Director, Boston Camerata)

    MH 629 B1: “Music and Le Roman de Fauvel: Fable, Morality, and Political Satire, circa 1310,”
    College of Fine Arts, 855 Commonwealth Ave, 10-1 pm & 2-5 pm both days, Rm 165.

    Mini-Course Overview

    The Roman de Fauvel s a 14th-century satire about public corruption meaningful in the present day? The metamorphosing horse Fauvel is the protagonist of  an acerbic and witty fable, satirizing religious and political life in 14th-century France, and laden with implications  for contemporary society.   Anne Azéma will present  a generous selection of music and text from one of the most famous of all medieval manuscripts: there will be an abundance of monodies, motets, instrumental music as well as a close look at the source (edition, transmission) and media aspect of this celebrated manuscript through the numerous miniatures from the original source. Fauvel, the abusive leader with an orange mane,  appears variously in these illustrations as animal, as man with a horse’s hindquarters, as a man with an animal’s head.This group welcomes: musicians (singers, instrumentalists), musicologists, and students from Romance Language  Art History, and History.