early music

European art music eras Early music is European classical music before the classical music era and after Ancient music. The common range given is from the end of Ancient music to the beginning of the Baroque musicBaroque era in about 1600, and so roughly corresponds with the European Middle Ages period.

Post-Antiquity - For information on early music post-Antiquity, see the following articles:

Medieval music (roughly 1000-1450)

Renaissance music (roughly 1450-1600)

Baroque music (roughly 1600-1750)

Authentic performance - The term "early music" is closely associated with the concept of authentic performance. The authentic performance movement began with the performance of early music, and in general, the earlier the music, the more likely it is that its performers will show an interest in authentic performance as it becomes more difficult for the reason listed below and others.

Notation and performance - According to Margaret Bent (1998), Early music notation, "is under-prescriptive by our standards; when translated into modern form it acquires a prescriptive weight that overspecifies and distorts its original openness." Before about 1600, written music did not consistently state which instruments are used when. A century earlier, people who wrote down music did not always specify whether lines of polyphony were to be sung or played on an instrument. Similarly, the notation frequently does not indicate what key to play the music in, if any. Accidentals were not necessary. Notations for rhythm go back only to about 1200. There is thus a speculative element to all modern performances of Medieval and Renaissance music. However, Renaissance musicians would have been highly trained in dyadic counterpoint and thus possessed this and other information necessary to read a score, "what modern notation requires accidentals would then have been perfectly apparent without notation to a singer versed in counterpoint." See the article on Renaissance music#Notation and performanceRenaissance music.

See also -

List of early music ensembles

Sources -

Judd, Cristle Collins. "Introduction: Analyzing Early Music" in Judd, Cristle Collins (ed.) (1998). ''Tonal Structures of Early Music''. New York: Garland Publishing. ISBN 0815323883.

Bent, Margaret. "The Grammar of Early Music: Preconditions for Analysis" in Judd, Cristle Collins (ed.) (1998). ''Tonal Structures of Early Music''. New York: Garland Publishing. ISBN 0815323883.

External link -

medieval.org - Early Music FAQ

* medieval.org - What is Early Music?Category:Early musicde:Alte Musikhu:Régi zenesv:Tidig musik

The Cardinall's Musick
Intertational, eight-voiced vocal ensemble based in UK, directed by Andrew Carwood.
http://www.cardinallsmusick.com/

'International Van Wassenaer Competition' for Early Music Ensembles.
The aim of the competition is to stimulate and support young musicians in historical performing arts. Participating in the International Van Wassenaer Competition offers ensembles the opportunity to gain valuable references and to network with professional concert organisations able to assist in furthering their careers. Many prizewinners have found their way to international concert performances, such as the Dutch ensembles Brisk, The Locke Consort, La Primavera, the British ensemble Florilegium and the Russian ensemble Musica Petropoliana.
http://www.vanwassenaerconcours.nl/

3Lune Records
3Lune Records, founded in 1997 in Rome, is a Records Label and Distributor of Instrumental & Contemporary music, Jazz, Traditional & World-music, Early & Classical music. Catalogue online.
http://www.trelunerecords.it/

Encore Recordings
music in all formats: CD, LP, 7, 78 rpm, 16 rpm, Tape, Reel-To-Reel, Cylinders, Piano Rolls, Sheet Music, Books on Music & Musicians, Music Memorabilia bought, sold and traded!
http://www.encorerecordings.com/

Giampaolo Di Rosa
Site of Giampaolo Di Rosa, organ, piano and harpsichord performer, composer, improvisor
http://www.giampaolodirosa.com/