Mother, Sister, Daughter; Music from the Convent of San Matteo in Arcetri (by Leonora D’Este et al.)
UPPER VOICES & SOFT INSTRUMENTS
Tutor: Laurie Stras
Didsbury Baptist Church
Reviewer: Ruth Stock
One of the best singing workshops I’ve attended. Designed for women’s voices with a few instruments (some with male players) providing the bass line where needed. We started with a two-part chant on Benedicamus Domino with a sombre, contemplative texture, then progressed through 3- and 4-part pieces to a wonderful 5-part reflection on the story of Judith ‘Tribulationes Civitatem’.
Laurie was a great tutor sharing with us the background to her research as well as the context of each piece. She gave us a new view of Renaissance Italian music when she said “Nun’s singing was the sound of the Renaissance city”. The assumption has in the past been that the majority of the vocal music of that period was for male voices. Laurie pointed out that the low register was frequently the design of the printer seeking uniformity, not the intention of the composer or practice of the performers. Singing in convents was commended to listeners as being preferable to less savoury pursuits.
The music was beautiful and very singable. We were singing independent lines rather than the chordal writing we are more accustomed to, often resulting in some wonderful dissonances. The lines were often close in pitch, sometimes with the top lines soaring above, frequently crossing each other. Despite this music being written by and for nuns the sheer sensuality of some of the settings such as ‘Salve sponsa Dei’, although addressed to St. Clare, echoes the erotic longings of courtly love poetry.
Altogether a very enjoyable and informative day exploring sparkling and unfamiliar music in the company of Laurie’s deep knowledge and unwavering enthusiasm. Most appreciated.
First published in the November 2022 Newsletter
For more information visit https://www.gramophone.co.uk/features/article/how-an-astonishing-musical-discovery-inspired-musica-secreta-s-new-album
