Worldes Bliss: A vocal workshop on Early songs
VOICES & INSTRUMENTS
Tutor: Sara Stowe
Location: St Wilfrid’s Parish Church, Grappenhall
Reviewer: Christine Wood
Whilst advertised for both singers and instrumentalists, this workshop on medieval song was attended only by singers. Sara Stowe introduced us to a rich variety of 12th and 13th century songs from many parts of Europe. These included both sacred and secular pieces in one, two and three parts. She guided us expertly through the pronunciation of medieval versions of a wide range of languages.
Monophonic songs included trouvere pastoral songs in Old French and a summer song in Old German by the Minnesinger Neidhart von Reuenthal. We also sampled songs in Anglo-Saxon, Old English, and from the Cantigas de Santa Maria in Galician Portuguese. The Cantigas recount miracles performed by the Virgin Mary. An Italian love song, ‘Lucente stella’, demonstrated a very different style with a much more instrumental character.
In two parts we sang ‘Stella splendens’, a pilgrim song from the Catalan Llibre Vermell. There were two songs from a collection of Robin and Marian Motets, in Old English, Old French and Latin. One of these, ‘Sancta mater gracie / Dou way Robin’ has a gentle and hypnotic burden running through it. Another charming example of 13th century secular English song was ‘Edi beo thu, hevene quene’.
Three part polyphony was represented by two motets, which were both love songs, one in Old French and the other in Anglo-Norman. For those interested in the pronunciation of forms of medieval and renaissance French, Sara recommended ‘Bele Buche e Bele Parleure’ by Jeannine Alton and Brian Jeffrey.
This was a most enjoyable and informative day under the excellent guidance of Sara Stowe, and a rare opportunity to sing medieval music. I still find myself humming melodies from ‘Dou way Robin’ and ‘Edi beo thu’.
Christine Wood
First published in April 2014 Newsletter
