There is just such a richness in the “medieval” traditions of music – which this performer so spectacularly achieves. The tiny details of the inscribed notes, which tell an experienced singer just how to sing it. And what a marvelous(!) musical tapestry is the result!
Thanks for sharing.
P.S.: This also reminds me favorably of the renditions of “Genesis Chapters 1 & 2,” sung in the original languages as best we can now re-construct them. These chapters were musical poems which, despite the skill and attention of “the translators,” could so very easily have been lost forever.
Music! How absolutely very-rich it is. Such that, hundreds of years later, by means of tiny printed patterns, we can once again enjoy it – and, be spellbound.
Such a spectacular and so perfectly-executed musical performance.
Mike: Regarding the musical notation … are you familiar with American shape-note notation? Dates (I think) to the late 19th century. The physical shape of the printed notes (triangle, circle, square) tell the singer what intonation to use. Very popular in early 20th century hymnals. Church congregations here in rural south Appalachia still sing from those books. Carl Carmer has an evocative description of the sound of a shape-note choir in his remarkable book “Stars Fell On Alabama”, written during the late 1920s.
James Monti, author of “A Sense of the Sacred”, is featured often in Magnificat…a spiritual publication that offers a ‘Hymn of the Month’. It typically features a medieval hymn written in the same pattern and translated by Mr. Monti. In March the hymn was Ave, Maria, gratia plena-Medieval Sequence for the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord (Latin). It is not the Ave Maria of Schubert. It is a chant type hymn similar to the one presented here. They are very beautiful and a challenge to try to sing them and obviously written during the Medieval period.
As for me, I simply rejoice that these musical traditions … from literally many hundreds of years ago … were never lost [forever].
And, I likewiserejoice that there are still in the present day there are musical artists – such as this talented performer – who today still strive to bring these fragile things back to life, so that all of us may still rejoice in them.
Most certainly I am aware. But this notation is certainly much more detailed. The individual shapes at each bar indicate precisely how the singer should articulate each note. “Multiple notes stacked together” clearly mean that the singer should sing upward. Various other symbols indicate other articulations that I do not fully (yet) understand.
If you listen carefully to how this very-gifted singer sings, you will see that she does fully understand all of these very-delicious subtleties. In traditional musical notation these might be “sixteenth notes.”
Silently I bow my head in shame, for these things I have done to you oh Lord.
Forgiveness is but a cross away for those whom you have looked upon with favor.
Leave me oh Lord to empty myself of the iniquity of pride and malice for my enemies.
To those I leave in your good judgement and humbly beseech you forgive me Lord for my trespasses.
As the scent of frankincense fills my senses with the knowing You oh Lord are God.
Let these frail wisps carry my prayers to Your ears.
Hear my prayer oh God and heal our land.
hoosiertruthfan
April 15, 2022 5:53 pm
Lovely to harken to when music was to the glory of God.
Deborah D
April 15, 2022 6:23 pm
I grew up with the Stations of the Cross, and I remember well such beautiful music as you have shared with us Menagerie. For the Lord loved us so He gave up His only Son to suffer and die on the cross. Thank you, dear Jesus, for your sacrifice for me, a lowly sinner.
This most solemn of days of the Christian faith is a good reminder to be thankful for His love. Let us be worthy of it. Amen.
jello333
April 15, 2022 6:52 pm
I can just barely read any music at all, so this won’t come as a surprise but… I’ve never seen notation like that before. Very cool…. as is the song… and the girl singing is incredible. I can’t even imagine what it takes to memorize that, even if you’ve got a perfect voice.
While you can – believe it or not – find “music notation software” that can produce scores like these, they are rare. As are performers (male or female) who can sing them. These are the traditions of “the madrigal,” and even before.
Love this
There is just such a richness in the “medieval” traditions of music – which this performer so spectacularly achieves. The tiny details of the inscribed notes, which tell an experienced singer just how to sing it. And what a marvelous(!) musical tapestry is the result!
Thanks for sharing.
P.S.: This also reminds me favorably of the renditions of “Genesis Chapters 1 & 2,” sung in the original languages as best we can now re-construct them. These chapters were musical poems which, despite the skill and attention of “the translators,” could so very easily have been lost forever.
Music! How absolutely very-rich it is. Such that, hundreds of years later, by means of tiny printed patterns, we can once again enjoy it – and, be spellbound.
Such a spectacular and so perfectly-executed musical performance.
Mike: Regarding the musical notation … are you familiar with American shape-note notation? Dates (I think) to the late 19th century. The physical shape of the printed notes (triangle, circle, square) tell the singer what intonation to use. Very popular in early 20th century hymnals. Church congregations here in rural south Appalachia still sing from those books. Carl Carmer has an evocative description of the sound of a shape-note choir in his remarkable book “Stars Fell On Alabama”, written during the late 1920s.
James Monti, author of “A Sense of the Sacred”, is featured often in Magnificat…a spiritual publication that offers a ‘Hymn of the Month’. It typically features a medieval hymn written in the same pattern and translated by Mr. Monti. In March the hymn was Ave, Maria, gratia plena-Medieval Sequence for the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord (Latin). It is not the Ave Maria of Schubert. It is a chant type hymn similar to the one presented here. They are very beautiful and a challenge to try to sing them and obviously written during the Medieval period.
As for me, I simply rejoice that these musical traditions … from literally many hundreds of years ago … were never lost [forever].
And, I likewise rejoice that there are still in the present day there are musical artists – such as this talented performer – who today still strive to bring these fragile things back to life, so that all of us may still rejoice in them.
Most certainly I am aware. But this notation is certainly much more detailed. The individual shapes at each bar indicate precisely how the singer should articulate each note. “Multiple notes stacked together” clearly mean that the singer should sing upward. Various other symbols indicate other articulations that I do not fully (yet) understand.
If you listen carefully to how this very-gifted singer sings, you will see that she does fully understand all of these very-delicious subtleties. In traditional musical notation these might be “sixteenth notes.”
That is so lovely. Thank you.
Haunting…
Silently I bow my head in shame, for these things I have done to you oh Lord.
Forgiveness is but a cross away for those whom you have looked upon with favor.
Leave me oh Lord to empty myself of the iniquity of pride and malice for my enemies.
To those I leave in your good judgement and humbly beseech you forgive me Lord for my trespasses.
As the scent of frankincense fills my senses with the knowing You oh Lord are God.
Let these frail wisps carry my prayers to Your ears.
Hear my prayer oh God and heal our land.
Lovely to harken to when music was to the glory of God.
I grew up with the Stations of the Cross, and I remember well such beautiful music as you have shared with us Menagerie. For the Lord loved us so He gave up His only Son to suffer and die on the cross. Thank you, dear Jesus, for your sacrifice for me, a lowly sinner.
This most solemn of days of the Christian faith is a good reminder to be thankful for His love. Let us be worthy of it. Amen.
I can just barely read any music at all, so this won’t come as a surprise but… I’ve never seen notation like that before. Very cool…. as is the song… and the girl singing is incredible. I can’t even imagine what it takes to memorize that, even if you’ve got a perfect voice.
(By the way, hi Menagerie! 🙂 )
While you can – believe it or not – find “music notation software” that can produce scores like these, they are rare. As are performers (male or female) who can sing them. These are the traditions of “the madrigal,” and even before.
Thank you, this is beautiful.
Thank you.
Than you for posting.