Landini Station Listening from oct 26

October 26th

Non Arva Mai Pieta, ballata for 3 voices. from the Codex Faenza by Francesco Landini
and
Preco Preheminencie, Isorhythmic Motet for 4 voices by John Dunstable

I think that it's interesting that I'm getting to the point where I can be clicking through some of the songs that come up on pandora and know which ones that I'm going to want to listen to because of the overall sound of a song. As I was flipping through, I came across these two songs that immediately struck me and said "I am medieval." It's relieving when the sonority of music finally comes through the thick noggin, and finds its way to a recognizable state. Prior to this year, even during music lit, it was significantly more difficult for me to identify any of the vocal recordings that were not accompanied by a period-instrument. I suppose this is an overall goal for the course, if not for the department, at least it is for me.

I hear parallel motion, and a few cadences that seem to have two notes decending instead of a double-leading tone motion or some other cadence. The unfortunate thing about pandora is that I have not figured out how to rewind, if possible at all to rewind, and I cannot go back to listen and really figure it out. Both of these pieces are a capella. This is something that I certainly not going to complain about. I love a capella music. I appreciate that in the time of Landini, we are finally getting to the point where harmonies are starting to be filled out instead of just featuring a solo voice with some contrapunctal motion. I also appreciate that the whole range of a male's voice is starting to be filled out. Bass notes are quite low, and the countertenors are soaring above the music in the stratosphere. They're truly wonderful performances, especially the Dunstable.

Mmm.
Good listening!