During the
renaissance, French royalty showed their great love for music and dance
by sponsoring the best talent in Europe. Musicians at the French court
included the Italian lute virtuoso Albert de Rippe (Alberto da Ripa),
contrapuntal masters Claude le Jeune and Eustache du Caurroy, and
Etienne Moulinié, who provided fine musical compositions for
the royal ballet spectacles. Many of these works were published by the
royal printer, Pierre Attaingnant, and the tradition was continued by
the Le Roy and Ballard families, true dynasties in music publishing.
Later, the royal librarian, André Danican Philidor, copied
several large manuscripts of music from the courts of Henri IV and
Louis XIII, calling it “ancient music”. Altogether
there is a great variety of music in 4, 5 and 6 parts, from simpler
pavans and galliards through country bransles, theater music, intricate
polyphonic fantaisies, and even a ballet for horses to dance! Olav
Chris Henriksen will begin the day with an introduction to the music
and the times, and then you will get a chance to experience, hands-on,
this great consort repertory.
Coaches: Carol Lewis, Chris Henriksen, Janet Haas and Sarah
Mead. As always, there will be a class for beginners if there is enough
interest.
