07/02/2025
This Sunday!! There’s still time to register! Email [email protected] to reserve a spot!
Two 45 minute sessions with a 15 minute break in between.
‼️Join us for our next workshop!‼️
Playing Sacred Motets from the St Andrews Music Book
Online workshop with Bill Taylor
One of the earliest sources of music in Scotland is asubstantial collection of sacred music is found in the St Andrews Music Book, dating from the mid-13th C, now in the library in Wolfenbüttel, Germany. It was the most important book of polyphonic music from anywhere in Europe at the time. It was begun at Notre Dame de Paris, and it somehow found its way to St Andrews, where Scottish composers added about 40 motets to the Virgin, all found within the 11th fascicule of the binding. These pieces wereoriginally intended for two singers or two groups of singers, but they are formidable as solo instrumental intabulations. We will examine one of the longer motets, Alleluya, Virga dei mater pia, arranged by Bill for small harps with either gut or wire strings. Only 12 strings are needed, from d’-a’’, and all levels of players are welcome, except pure beginners. We will explore playing in the ‘stopped style’, using medieval damping techniques that clarify the harmony and allow players to exploit moments of tension and resolution.
Sunday 6th July, 10 AM Pacific…
Part I, 45 minutes of tuition // 15 minutes break // Part 2, 45 minutes of tuition
