Organ performance practice in the Medieval Clerical Universe

13/02/2021 — Education

Portative organ course at Medieval Music Besalú. Spring 2021

The organs played an important role in the West-European religious milieu of the 12th and 13th centuries. As a turn of fate, the organ is one of the instruments for which a significant number of written and depicted documentations about its use, its construction, and its symbology has survived. This enables to rescue and bring back to life music once attributed to the medieval organ.

In this course students will:

Learn about the historical context and symbolic significance of the Organ in the 12th and 13th centuries: iconography, treatises, mentions in historical writings

Expand your repertoire by learning pieces related to the use of the organ and its narrative: chant, sequence, hymn, and clerical dance

Learn techniques for accompanying monody based on medieval descriptions related to the organ: drones and organum

Explore and discuss tools for advanced techniques of performance practice: subtle bellow control, tuning, and expressivity

Teaching Methodology

This course will be comprised of:

  • 6 virtual one-on-one lessons (1 hour each)
  • Recorded introductory lecture or one group live Q&A session (30 min)
  • 6 tutorial videos (10-15 minutes each)
  • Downloadable materials and links to additional resources

Schedules and assignments:

  • The class dates and times will be scheduled with the instructor.
  • There will be some suggested deadlines to submit assignments.
  • The student workload to take the lessons, review the materials and practice is approximately 4.25 hours per session.
  • Students taking the course for credit must complete all assignments and class requirements.

 

More info here

and at info(at)cristinaraurich.cat

Info about the beginners portative organ course here.