Lynda Sayce

Intabulations: the repertory we all ignore

Suitable for: Lutes and Guitars (must be willing to tackle tablature!)

Intabulations are an enormous part of the renaissance lute’s repertory, especially in continental sources. Some collections consist entirely of intabulations, and in many cases these are pieces by first-rate composers such as Josquin, Palestrina, Gombert, Morales, Sermisy, etc, and yet very few lutenists play these today. These sessions are intended to introduce this material step by step. In each session I’ll demonstrate at least one intabulation, we’ll look at an original piece and as many historical intabulations as possible, we’ll play the originals as an ensemble, and look at how the intabulations have been put together. Participants are strongly encouraged to bring intabulations along to play / discuss. By the end of the week, we’ll have studied a few pieces in some detail, and we’ll have looked at making our own intabulations to perform as solos, duets and lute songs.

Session 1: We will look at original intabulations of 2-part pieces. Session 2: Intabulations of 3-part pieces. Session 3: The scary stuff - pieces in more than 3 parts. Session 4: Intabulations for voice and lute. Session 5: Intabulations for 2 lutes.

Rebecca Austen-Brown

Belle Danse

Suitable for: Recorders

This progressive class will delve into the world of dance, from the complex rhythms of Renaissance dances by Holborne, to sublime dance pairs by Dowland. We will look at French Baroque dances by Lully and Rameau, Bach’s orchestral suites, and country dances from Playford.

You may wonder how to work out the tempo of early dances and how to relate this to the appropriate period and country. Following dances such as the Galliard, Sarabande, and Gavotte evolving and changing will give some insight as to how best to play them in both solo and ensemble settings.

Readers

Alison Kinder

Peculiar In Nomines

Suitable for: Viols

The ‘in nomine’ is a body of work really specific to the viol consort. The same cantus firmus line in dozens of different pieces, surely most of them start to sound the same? But what if you put the in nomine in three time, or even more unusually what if it was in five?! What if you put the in nomine line in the bass rather than in the middle of the texture? We’ll use our progressive sessions to find out! Feel free to bring your favourite in nomine along for everyone to enjoy, and we’ll study a collection of some of the more unusual ones in the repertoire.

Anne Marie Christensen and Catherine Strachen

Johan Helmich Roman: Celebration Music

Suitable for: Baroque Strings

This year we will be exploring the works of Johan Helmich Roman in particular his celebration music (Drottningholmsmusiken, Golovinmusiken). As always we will make our final selection of movements both the provide variety of technique and styles. All levels are welcome - we will make sure we cater to everyone.

As always we are keen to encourage chamber music so do grab us for either your preformed ensembles or your newly formed groups.

Hazel Askew

Folk Song

Suitable for: Singers

This class will delve deeply into the folk singing traditions of the British Isles and beyond. Together we will build up a repertoire of contrasting folk songs, learn about their history and social context, discuss delivery and stylistic elements, analyse source recordings and contemporary interpretations, and experiment with vocal harmonisation.

All songs will be learnt by ear with texts provided and the class is suitable for any level of singer.

Tim Bayley

At the sign of the Crumhorn

Suitable for: Curtals, Flutes, Recorders, Crumhorns and Shawms

A progressive class for renaissance wind, developing individual and ensemble skills through the work of Antwerp based composer, arranger, publisher and retailer, Tielman Suzato, 1510-1570.

In 1543 Suzato, himself a trumpeter and piper, established the first music publishing house in the Low Countries, as named in our title, going on to champion the work of many contemporary composers such as Crecquillon, Clemens non Papa, Machincourt and Lassus. We will explore motets, chansons and dances in a variety of parts, suitable for curtals, flutes, recorders, crumhorns, shawms. A440.

Richard Thomas and Claire McIntyre

Sacrorum Concentuum

Suitable for: Renaissance Wind and Brass

A series of progressive classes focusing on the music of Venetian composer, Giovanni Priuli (1575-1626) 450 years after his birth. These sessions explore the instrumental and vocal music of this Italian-Austrian musician from 5-12 parts. Renaissance brass and wind.

Reader

Graham Coatman

Details coming soon!

Suitable for: Singers

Details to be announced soon!

John Dipper

Folk Music: Taming Folk Tunes to Tell Your Story

Suitable for:

With his experience at bringing old tunes to life with The English Acoustic Collective, Patterson Dipper, Alma, Dipper Malkin and the Emily Askew Band, John will look at how to explore and develop a tune, giving you the tools to make it tell your story, as well as giving advice on techniques and tips to get the most out of the tune and your instrument, such as groove, ornamentation and dynamics.

This class is ideally taught by ear, but music can be available if needed.