EarlyMusicNews.Org

(From a recent Unquiet Thoughts newsletter)

“Today’s post continues our speculative probe into John Dowland’s background, examining the conditions and events that may have contributed to form the composer’s persona and, by extension, his unique and intricate musical style. …
    

(From a recent newsletter)

“In previous posts, we outlined information highlighting typical modes of musical education in Tudor England.  The pathway to a musical education for a member of the artisan class seems to have begun with grammar school, …”

(From a recent Musicologie newsletter)

In this month’s newsletter:

“The music of the seventeenth-century in Germany and the Netherlands, an entire chapter of the fresco from Rusquet Michel is published , Jean-Luc Vannier was at the Nice Opera for "Simon Boccanegra" season opening, a CD of Telemann keyboard music recorded by Olivier Baumont, republication of the memoirs of Jean Wiener, latest ads, calendar, music news retrospective, thus the two hundred and eleventh "Bulletin of musicology."

Bonne lecture

Jean-Marc Warszawski ” (Translated from French version)

(From a recent Fondazione Giorgio Cini email)

“The Vittore Branca International Center for the Study of Italian Culture is is a new international resource for humanities studies open - with no age limits - to scholars, writers and artists interested in pursuing a research project focused on Italian (especially Venetian) culture, with an interdisciplinary approach, in one of the following disciplines: visual arts, history, literature, music, drama….
  

(From a recent blog article from “Unquiet Thoughts”)

“… One of our overarching themes is the disquieting disconnect between the purposeful artistic mindset required to perform historical music in a way that conveys the intricacy and the emotional depth that lies beneath the surface …”
  

(From a recent Unquiet Thoughts article)

“Jazz guitarists of today are not likely to consider themselves bearers of a long and lively tradition of improvisation that dates back more than 500 years.  When reeling out riffs to a set of changes, one is not likely to consider …

(From a recent Semibrevity blog)

“Despite having amassed almost twenty thousand signatures on an internet-based petition, Sigiswald Kuijken’s baroque orchestra, La Petite Bande, has been definitively told that it will receive no more money from the Belgian government. …
    

(From a recent post on the BachMusicology@yahoogroups.com mailing list)

For all things “Bach cantatas”, visit the Bach Cantatas Website (BCW). The website has recently gone through a reorganization that you may find more approachable in searches of information or manuscripts.

“The Bach Cantatas Website (BCW) is a comprehensive site covering all aspects of J.S. Bach's cantatas and his other vocal works and many of his instrumental works. The BCW contains for most works: detailed discographies, discussions, texts and translations, scores, commentaries, references, music examples... Performers of Bach’s works, including their biographies, Bach discographies...“

(From a recent GEMS newsletter)

In a recent GEMS “Notes on the Scene” newsletter, GEMS makes a plea to its readership for help with housing a student studying at the Juilliard School of Music. This plea is exemplary of what the early music community has come to know of the GEMS organization -- helpful and involved.
     

(From the latest blog post at “Unquiet Thoughts”)

“ … This week, we follow up on a question that arose on the lute discussion list: Is it true that, historically, the lute was only available to the wealthy? …
    

(re-posted article)

As you know or suspect, the 2012 summer workshops and summer festivals season has already begun. If you have not as yet planned your summer months, do take a look at what events are being offered in your region, or, perhaps far-off “exotic” regions. Some of the workshop sign-ups are still open for registrations, or, if registrations are closed, you may be able to convince someone to audit the courses. Nevertheless, there are ample summer workshop concerts available to attend and enjoy. 

Feel free to browse through our extensive list of workshop and festivals that may be found on our website in three formats:
  

(From a recent Gent Festival van Vlaanderen newsletter)

Although not directly related to early music field, but certainly possible with early music orchestras, a post in a recent Gent Festival van Vlaanderen newsletter makes mention of the “remarkable accomplishment of a great humanist, José Antonio Abreu, who dedicated his life to set up the 'Sistema' in 1975, an extraordinary music and social project which has been running in Venezuela in an attempt to transform the lives of the nations poorest children. …” (YouTube Quote).
    

“Today, we share a few quotes excerpted from an article by Howard Mayer Brown (1930 – 1993) , a musicologist and renaissance specialist whose work brought to light many important aspects of performance of old music.  …
  

(From a recent The Sixteen news release)

“ We are thrilled to announce that The Sixteen’s founder and conductor Harry Christophers has been recognised in the Queen’s 2012 Birthday Honours List, receiving a CBE¹ for services to music.
    

(From the latest Salon Sanctuary newsletter and on fundraising -- editor)

“Many of you got to know our new 501(c) 3 fiscal sponsor last December, as the co-producer of More Between Heaven and Earth, our original music-theater work based on the writings of Thomas Jefferson and Maria Cosway.  …
    

(From the latest Chants de Vielles newsletter)

“For eight years, the organization Chants de Vielles has produced a festival on the second weekend  of September in the little village of Calixa-Lavallée in the Montérégie region of Québec, a cultural event of superb quality and artistic impact. …
    

(Recently mentioned on various music-related websites.) 

A recent petition organized by the International Federation of Musicians is being promoted by many groups. If you are a professional musician travelling the air spaces of Europe, you may want to read up on the reasons behind this petition. 

Click on the following link should you wish to read more of the petition: Fair treatment for musicians travelling on planes with their instruments

(* Please note that EarlyMusicNews.org is only passing on this message for information purposes only and is in no way involved in organizing nor advocating a positive or negative response to this petition. -- Marc Paré, Editor)

(From the latest newsletter of the Festes de Thalie)

If you have participated or sadly missed the last festival Brillamment Baroque in Yvelines, you are invited to visit the following links where you will find photos of the festival and concerts[1] (see below).

As well, the online sign-up and information pages for the “Rencontres internationales de l’abbaye de Vignogoul” worskhop and concerts are now available on the France-Orpheon site[2].
    

Are you getting those summer urges to pack your bags and trek to an early music summer workshop, conference or festival? EarlyMusicNews.org has an extensive list of upcoming events on its calendar pages. Have a peek here and you may find an event to your liking. -- Marc Paré, editor

Tuesday 30th and Wednesday 31st of may, Hugo Reyne will be ambassador of the French language at Saint-Petersburg!
    

“We [Early Music Vancouver] are thrilled to announce that José Verstappen, Artistic Director of Early Music Vancouver will receive the Howard Mayer Brown Award for lifetime achievement in the field of early music! 
    

“We  [The English Concert] are absolutely delighted to announce success in our application for an Arts Council Catalyst Award of £180,000 over three years. The Catalyst Arts : capacity building and match funding scheme to which we applied supports organisations in building their fundraising capability over a three-year period. Grants of between £120,000 and £240,000 have been awarded to 173 organisations nationwide.

Over 350 applications were received, and only 4 awards granted to classical music organisations in London, our home town, so this is a real vote of confidence by Arts Council England in The English Concert's ability to build upon recent success in fundraising to increase its profile nationally and abroad. …”
    

For the Shakespeare enthusiasts, a reminder from the “Shakespeare Birthplace Trust” of the upcoming month of June 2012 events. There is quite a bit going on this month and it may be worthwhile to browse through the calendar of events on their website.
    

“Out of more than 4,300 international category entries in WorldFest-Houston's 10 major Remi Award Competitions, Harpsichord Unlimited won a Silver Award (Into the Light) and a Bronze Award (Concertino Cubano). The Remi takes its name from artist Frederick Remington, who captured the spirit of Texas and the West with his paintings and sculptures. …
    

News from the Rose Ensemble announcing the phased sabbatical of Founder and Artistic Director Jordan Srame. This will allow “Jordan Sramek will be taking three months of dedicated time each year over the next four years to develop his independent artistry, conduct research, and hone his coaching and clinician skills.” …