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Singing i n Style

BAROQUE

by Edward F. Menerth, Jr.

I As the essence of re-creating and b e c a m e exposed to varying na- b y dissonance and emphasized b y
vocal literature of the Renaissance tional atmospheres. In Italy, p a p a c y the punctuation of steadily re-
is in the subordination of performer and Church continued to decline, peated notes. There is a n e w free-
to medium, in the Baroque period gradually relaxing their authori- d o m of writing, signified b y less
it will b e seen to b e in the exploita- tarian grip on men's lives and arts. patterned rhythms and more c o m -
tion by performer of medium. H o w - France s u c c u m b e d to the strength- plex m e l o d i c lines, and, a b o v e all,
ever, the steady progress of music ening of a "divine right" monarchy an insistent pictorialism: the singer
resists specific boundary lines, and whose insulating effect on creativ- needs constantly to b e aware of a
the later style is demonstrably a ity has not completely disappeared literary d e p e n d e n c y .
logical continuation of earlier to this day. Tripartite Germany W i t h the " m o n o d i c revolution"
trends. T o study and understand roiled under the disruptive Thirty and the gradual classification of
this evolutionary process is to lay Years' War, while across the Chan- tonal relationships, composers revel
the requisite foundation for a bona nel Henry VIII's emotional break in a greater number of choices o p e n
fide performance of Baroque music. with an inflexible Church shaped to their selection for setting w o r d s
The very nature of teaching prac- itself into the delicate c o m p r o m i s e to music. This expanding language
tices w h e n music was an integral of Catholic Anglicanism. These and gives birth, diversely, to declama-
part of formal education, the pro- other parochial concerns all con- tory-type parlando lines and to
liferating appearances of manu- tributed to the incipient de-interna- recitatives dependent u p o n a non-
script "how-to" treatises, these and tionalization of music, a process declamatory legato for their effect.
other factors c o m b i n e d for the destined to reach its peak only in Even the choral recitative in M o n t e -
transmission and codification of the hyper-nationalism of the late verdi is specifically aimed at in-
Renaissance practices. A m o n g the nineteenth century, but w h i c h even telligibility of text, striking evidence
results were international accept- as early as the Baroque has a meas- of the slow decline of pure poly-
ance of a sophisticated harmonic urable effect on performance. p h o n y and the transformation of the
language; wider dissemination, with In that same transitional period madrigal into the cantata. Since the
a n e w emphasis, of polychoral tech- another significant alteration in per- function of the basso continuo is
niques d e v e l o p e d b y the Venetians; formance style is under weigh, fundamental to these changes, it
and from Late Madrigal C o m e d y pointing from the representation of plays a fundamental role in per-
a practice of relentlessly expressive inner ideals to a presentation of ex- formance.
text-painting—plus the suggestion pressive emotion. Intensity of feel- One can, from the a b o v e devel-
of a fundamental bass line w h i c h ing, directly influenced b y the older opments and innovations, d e d u c e
was to color musical composition chromaticists, is b e c o m i n g an end four major hallmarks of Baroque
for the next three hundred years. in itself. Pathos and passion, o n c e vocal literature w h i c h affect its per-
Each development was, of course, considered only proper in the serv- formance. T h e first is contrast; the
subject to provincial modifications ice of the Church or else as very second is the tension resulting from
as it crossed geographic borders private domain, are n o w heightened contrast; third is a forward-moving,

JUNE-JULY, NINETEEN SIXTY-SIX 73


propulsive vigor; and fourth a pre- singer's delight, to the point of u p reveal the composer's refined taste
dilection for large masses of sound. to sixty arias per opera. As if to for word-painting.
These characteristics can b e rea- balance, the oratorio, although T h e synthesis and crystallization
lized in performance only after an stylistically similar, granted dra- of the Neapolitan opera tradition
examination of the forces that matic, narrative, and meditative is found in the fluent and graceful
shaped them. chores specifically to the ensemble. style of Alessandro Scarlatti. H e r e
Cantatas, w h i c h w e r e truncated the vocal solo assumes utmost im-
oratories in b o t h sacred and secular portance. Virtually all k n o w n orna-
• An analogy b e t w e e n this most dress, w e r e m o r e equitable. ments and vocalises, for example,
carefully-constructed music and are concentrated in the famous aria
architecture itself provides the first "Canto di Rossignuolo" from Le
of these: the m o d e r n thesis that Nezze col Nemico ( o n e chain of
form follows function. M o r e than This article is the second in a series trills mounts, without a break, for
in the Renaissance, the use for on the subject of vocal interpretation a solid o c t a v e ) . E v e n Venetian
w h i c h music is intended imposes in which stylistic features of all opera, despite a tradition of great
periods will be studied from the his-
form, and, therefore, performance contrasted masses, fell victim to the
torical viewpoint w i t h careful consid-
style, on vocal literature during the eration for the singer's problems. The
bravura aria, liberally spiked with
g r o w t h of the Baroque. A perma- first article in the series, "Singing in elaborate cadenzas. This is opera
nent line is b e i n g drawn b e t w e e n Style: Renaissance," a p p e a r e d in the seria, w h e r e the aria is used for
strictly liturgical function and pure April-May Ί966 issue. The author is self-indulgent reflection on the feel-
currently associated with the doc-
audience entertainment as cathe- ings, leaving the recitatives to carry
toral program in fine arts at Ohio
dral, concert hall, salon, and recep- University, Athens, Ohio. The series
the drama itself forward. ( B y con-
tion c h a m b e r all b e c o m e m o r e will be continued in the September- trast, in opera buffa a rapid par-
specialized in their needs and de- October issue. lando is carefully d e v e l o p e d for
mands. O n e of the earliest c o m - c o m i c effect.)
posers o f the period, Monteverdi, T o perform this music, great em-
wrote for the court or the theatre or "lasis must b e p l a c e d on the
h o m e ; and Bach, its culmination, • T h e s e c o n d major force on the smooth flow of elegant tone w h i c h
for church or o u t d o o r concert or performance of B a r o q u e music is is -melody—cantare—a vocal line
coffee house or the Collegium Mu- the geographic/nationalistic one, in e m b o d y i n g b o t h the passion and
sicum or, also, the h o m e . w h i c h the Italian states are d o m i - clarity of expressive feeling. Judi-
W h i l e these c o m p o s e r s did not nant w h e n the p e r i o d begins. Pos- cious alteration of t e m p o to m e e t
allow such distinctions to affect the sessed of a non-inflected language, this n e e d is often justifiable, so long
qualitative values of their works, the Italians i n d u l g e d in harmonic as rhythmic vitality is maintained.
performers are o b l i g e d to discover and chromatic subtleties of texture, Supporting this kind of virtuosity
that there are, indeed, distinctions laying the g r o u n d w o r k on w h i c h a calls for an extremely flexible vocal
in basic attitude. T h e aim—a sec- technique c o m b i n i n g v o c a l virtu- instrument, c o u p l e d with an in-
ondary aspect of the presentational osity with great expressive p o w e r stinctive flair for presentational
idiom i n d u l g e d in during this time was built. It is instructive for the techniques. Phrasing around basic
—is to m o v e or entrance the audi- performer to examine, c h r o n o - emotional ideas will aid in p r o d u c -
ence in a c c o r d with the spirit of logically, h o w this c a m e about, b e - ing the necessary unlabored feeling
occasion and location. Despite the ginning with Peri's Euridice for elegance and grace.
fact that from this milieu the great- ( 1 6 0 0 ) , in w h i c h " m e l o d y " ( a n d M o r e r u g g e d and isolated geo-
est single b o d y of living music is the singer) is enslaved to the natu- graphically, the northern Teutons
for the Church, the performer's first ral inflections, rhythms, and accents spoke an inflected language c o n -
allegiance, as was the composer's, of the p o e m . T h e challenge is ver- genial to a m o r e vigorously angular
must b e to the c o m m u n i c a t i o n of bal, not vocal. m e l o d i c line. Early chorales w e r e
emotional truths. Monteverdi's Orfeo, although built in simple, chordal, accented
The Mass, with its prescribed barely seven years later, represents metrical rhythms with a gravely
text, continued h e w i n g to Pales- a tremendous stride forward in lib- d e v o u t expressive quality. T h e y call
trina's p o l y p h o n i c lines although erating the solo v o i c e for freedom for an enormous range of color on
monody-derived basso continuo, to express the dramatic p o w e r in- the part of the performer. T h e in-
stile concertato, and tonal drift w e r e herent in the libretto. Deep- nate predisposition on the part of
gradually creeping in. T h e n e w e r breathed, s w e e p i n g phrases allow a these p e o p l e s to introspection and
forms of opera and oratorio are rhythmic flexibility w h i c h d e m o n - d e e p thought exacts especial per-
more characteristic of the Baroque, strates an urge toward heightened formance fervor, as even the ora-
and are also likely to b e those most directness and naturalness culmi- torio retained a largely liturgical
generally encountered b y the per- nating in nineteenth-century ver- function. Sehutz, although cer-
former. Opera, evolving from the ismo. Dramatic Madrigal C o m e d y tainly influenced b y Venetian mag-
Florentine Camarata attempts to s c h o o l e d M o n t e v e r d i in the means nificance, color, and an inclination
emulate Greek drama, c a m e under for passionate expression o f a text's toward strong text-painting, was in-
the twin influences of the Neapoli- emotional meaning, and the per- finitely m o r e intimate and inward-
tan school and Italian m e l o d i c former of his works should seek the looking than s o m e o n e like Gabrieli.
genius. B y the end of the B a r o q u e surprising modulations, striking He, therefore, d e v e l o p e d what
period, it had b e c o m e a virtuosic discords, and sinuous thirds that might b e called a semi-dramatic

74 MUSIC EDUCATORS JOURNAL


style dependent for expressive capo aria, typical of Baroque for-
effect on the interpretation of the malism, becomes the vehicle for
essential text. The twin colossi of lyric effects with beauty of vocal
Handel and Bach are treated, in- melody the chief aim. Supported
dividually, below. by simple harmonies and most often
Proudly insular France rather in slow triple meter with a per-
consciously expressed itself with a sistent single rhythmic motif, the
"reserved" style in direct contrast emphasis is on graceful, smoothly
to the more violent Italian dramatic flowing phrases.
idiom. It is very apt to be in the It is especially the aria that re-
pastoral vein, somewhat pompous, quires the stylistic technique known
and even in the airs de cour the as bel canto—that most important
emphasis is more likely to be on performance development of the
the music than on specious dra- middle Baroque period. Lyric ex-
You may not be able matic content. The influence of six- pressiveness by means of virtuosity
to keep up with your horn teenth-century vers mesure is ap- in execution of a highly-ornamental
after you use it. parent in the contributions of Lully line marks this studied technique.
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a c t i o n t h a t fast. In f a c t , it makes it dramatic and flexible, but, as in with the contrast between alternat-
so fast, so smooth we say i t " s i l k - o n - other things French, proper diction ing phrases of restrained, smooth
izes" valves. and intonation take precedence
The Holton S e c r e t : silicones a n d melody, and bursts of florid orna-
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Our Holton Valve Oil reduces wear, well-launched on its diplomatic a form about mid-way between the
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valve clatter. aria and recitative, used primarily
(The style galant, with its elaborate for dramatic effects. As an aside,
So go t o where t h e action is. Get
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LeWanc0 To speak of preoccupied England power, and unique timbre, was pe-
• "Quality Approved" Accessories , during the Baroque period is to culiarly adapted to the bel canto
speak almost exclusively of Purcell. style.
Although much of the court music
Recitative was born of early
had no higher aim than to provide
Baroque attempts to find a way for
CHOIR C * O B E S an auditory backdrop to the more
declaiming text, melodically, with
immediate delights of scenic won-
of o u t s t a n d i n g the inflections of spoken speech,
der and spoken word, Purcell's
quality and wear- and in conscious opposition to the
ing ease, styled "English declamation" reached a
excessive "unintelligibility" of late
with g r a c e and perfection of direct expression that
dignity from ex- Renaissance polyphony. From these
no amount of up-dating can im-
cellent fabrics and tai- attempts developed the recitativo
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secco, accompanied only by the
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tion . . . quality robes ing bass, and the recitativo accom-
and pulpit gowns at words, it requires of the performer
pagnato, involving the help of the
surprisingly moderate an extreme accuracy in dealing with
prices. entire orchestra. Performers should
the wide skips and a special pre-
CONFIRMATION be aware that recitativo secco is
ROBE RENTALS cision with the dotted rhythms that
generally used for narrative or
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may be purchased wherever music is sold. opera is a case in point, as the da CONTINUED ON PAGE 101

76 MUSIC EDUCATORS JOURNAL


S i n g i n g i n S t y l e

B A R O

by Edward F. Menerth, Jr.


Q U E
converse
Continued from page 76

HURCOHYDE
BAND
PARKAS
chordal style, and the polychoral.
T h e basic principle is that of con-
certato, considerably m o r e than a
mere e c h o d e v i c e . T h e "colossal Specially Designed to Keep

Baroque," usually cited in reference M u s i c i a n s Dry, W a r m a n d


to Gabrieli, is a relative term: S m a r t in Any W e a t h e r
"Colossal" is m u c h grander today
Exclusive H o r c o h y d e
than it was t w o hundred and fifty
years a g o . W h e n t w o average-size provides w a r m waterproof,
choirs are singing antiphonally, windproof, protection with-
their c o m b i n e d weight at a climax out bulk. Parka has rust-
will p r o v e to b e amply "colossal." proof snap fastener closure
and 2 large slash p o c k e t s .
• Ornamentation and improvisa- Hood d e s i g n e d to fit over
tion mark the fourth element help- Shako headgear, has zipper
ing shape B a r o q u e vocal music. As closure permitting it to be
early as 1602, Giulio Caccini, in his folded back in capelike
preface to Le Nuove Musiche,
effect as s h o w n . Bright,
explains vocal embellishments
w a s h a b l e c o l o r s : Royal,
( c a l l e d gorgia, from—significantly—
Scarlet, G r e e n , Black, Navy,
"throat") as well as tempo rubato.
His a d v i c e to singers on vocal style M a r o o n , Cardinal, Tan,
and technique is still astonishingly G o l d . H o o d lining available
pertinent, and his severe admoni- in different color from rest Available from
List Price:
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tone. small extra cost.

A n y well-trained singer knows


that musical figures are classified C O N V E R S E R U B B E R C O M P A N Y
and e m p l o y a b l e to represent cer-
tain affections, but there seems to MALDEN, MASSACHUSETTS 02148
b e an area of uncertainty about
w h e r e and w h e n an ornament or
improvised embellishment is appro-
priate. T h e simplest resolution of
this d o u b t is to stipulate that in an
aria ( o r arioso) the standard places
NIMAC Selective Music Lists . . .
are at cadences and semi-cadences, 1965 Selective M u s i c Lists for
I n s t r u m e n t a l a n d Vocal Solos
especially during repeats, w h e r e ,
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ments for the sake of variety. A 1964 Selective Music Lists for
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careful examination of recitative
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sections for recurring patterns or
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formulae will reveal opportunities, 1201 Sixteenth St. N.W., Washington D.C. 20036
Orders for $2.00 or less must be accompanied by check or money order.
as will a study of the text for sig-

JUNE-JULY, NINETEEN SIXTY-SIX 101


nificant words or ideas needing
added emphasis.
jfiem^Kindefiqe/iten h (Jolleqe A n o r n a m e n t is e s s e n t i a l l y a n i m -
provised or pre-established embel-
lishment on the written notes, and
ought always to remain within the
limits o f the style itself. D e c o r a t i v e
M A L L E T
detail should never be more than
P L A Y E D just that, w h e t h e r turn, trill, o r m o r -
d e n t . A t t h e t i m e o f t h e B a r o q u e , it
I N S T R U M E N T S
must be noted, the technique of
vocal art was far beyond that of
instruments, and singers (especially
t h e castrati), as t h e only authentic
Bel! B l o c k s
From $4-2,00 virtuosos at this time, used orna-
mentation as p r o o f of their virtu-
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Bell Blocks have ing for it a t t h e v e r y b e g i n n i n g o f
been teachers' favorites in e l e m e n t a r y g r a d e s f o r m o r e t h a n f i f t e e n the p h r a s e so as to a v o i d an "open
years. The a c c u r a t e l y tuned w i d e bars r a n g i n g f r o m C ( t w o octaves space."
a b o v e middle C) to G make the instrument ideal for rhythm a n d pre-
b a n d t r a i n i n g i n t h e e l e m e n t a r y g r a d e s . A m a l l e t Is s u p p l i e d f o r e a c h • None of the above techniques
b a r m a k i n g it p o s s i b l e f o r m a n y y o u n g s t e r s t o p a r t i c i p a t e i n c l a s s - can b e separated from the two in-
room games. terrelated matters of textual treat-
Manufacturers of M a l l e t Played Instruments for School Use for Over 50 Years ment and emotional involvement.

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Italian, inas-
MANUFACTURERS SINCE 1890
m u c h as t h e roots o f t h e p r o b l e m in
505 S H A W M UTT STREET LA G R A N G E . ILLINOIS the early Baroque reach to the
G a b r i e l i tradition in w h i c h , t h r o u g h
"recitative," the aim was to capture
"The most important thing I can say about it real-life emotions b y expressing the

is t h a t it works!" meaning of the text through ex-


tremes o f intensified w o r d meaning.
"The approach is t h o r o u g h and With Alessandro Scarlatti, how-
holds the attention of the Group. ever, one finds individual words

The best on the market!" losing importance to longer line


melodies which attempt a less-
"It should be a great boon to teachers of music restricted breadth of emotional
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texts in music that I know!" tatas, dramatic intensity is com-


municated by such purely musical
just a f e w o f t h e e x u b e r a n t c o m m e n t s w e h a v e received means as a greater tonal range
from educators all over the country about w h i c h allows for w i d e r vocal leaps.
By the height of the Baroque period
Introduction to
the lengthening vocal line conforms
less a n d less to e a c h w o r d of the
M U S I C F U N D A M E N T A L S text, and general feeling takes
b y J . A U S T I N A N D R E W S , Eastern Washington State College and precedence over specific meaning.
J E A N N E FOSTER W A R D I A N , Whitworth College In opera, for example, the aria
Songboofc Supplement. Index for Review. 220 pages, 498 frames, $3.80. m e l o d y per se is u n h a m p e r e d by a
EXAMINATION COPIES ARE AVAILABLE FROM compulsive need to follow every
A P P L E T O N - C E N T U R Y - C R O F T S · 4 4 0 Park A v e n u e S o . · N e w Y o r k 1 0 0 1 6 single textual nuance. Here the
Division of Meredith Publishing Company singer needs an emotional involve-
ment, instead, with the sensuous
element of the general affection of
the piece, not a preoccupation with

•bTstRS
B O X 8 1 5 6 P O R T L A N D 7, O R E G O N
specific
aid

simple
to
Italian and
literalizations.
greater

rising
German
expression, in

and
A further

i d i o m s , is
falling of
both
the
the

102 MUSIC EDUCATORS JOURNAL


voice, and from the underlying har-
mony.
As is the case with so m u c h of
the vocal music of this period, clear
diction c o m b i n e d with proper
"focus" and breath support are
necessary to help carry the v o i c e
over the larger instrumental forces
the Baroque c o m p o s e r is w o n t to
employ.

• T h e vocal music of Handel is


of sufficient b o d y and popularity
as to merit, along with Bach, spe-
cial examination. M o s t essential to
the performance of this difficult
literature is the p r o p e r establish-
ment o f and rigid adherence to a
t e m p o that is neither rushed nor
dragged—the tempo giusto. B y the
same token, rhythms should b e
maintained as Gibraltar-firm as the The look thaVs sweeping the nation . . ·
d a n c e music from w h i c h so m u c h
of their inspiration was taken.
These precautions will aid in pro-
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viding necessary vigor, especially in
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Handelian "line" results from c o n - School
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of a Rubens nude, for in this idio-
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execution is not so crucial as an all-
embracing affection.
JOHNSON VIOLIN METHOD
b y G e o r g e A . Johnson
Handel's operas, not excluding
his mastery o f Italian bel canto, are VIOLIN CLASS TEACHING FOR
best considered as music dramas,
and singers are well-advised to b e PRE-SCHOOL A N D PRIMARY GRADES
attuned to dramatic values implied
in the libretto. Dramatic action is E a s y to play by numbers and letters
most usually found in the recita- No complicated notation to learn
tives and large scenes, although o n e
Excerpt from 0 0 1 1 0 /
must b e alert to deal with tone-
"Twinkle, Twin-
painting and musical symbolism in
the many and frequent guises in
k l e . " Each n u m - τ 3 3
etc
ber indicates the finger d o w n f o r a q u a r t e r note b e a t o n the string a t i n e
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JUNE-JULY, NINETEEN SIXTY-SIX 103


as o p p o s e d to the operas, the chorus
FRANK STACHOW is given the responsibility o f carry-
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individual characters are delineated
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104 MUSIC EDUCATORS JOURNAL


line supported b y b u o y a n t tempi.
Historical b a c k g r o u n d can b e of
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useful to k n o w , for example, that in
LIGHTER
the early cantatas Bach was "gov- STRONGER
erned strictly b y the content of the • QUIETER
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while those o f his later L e i p z i g
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tatas one must c o m p r e h e n d the
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The use of d a n c e rhythms, often
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APOCALYPTICA by G e o r g e Rochberg

of a "modern" presentational style TRIBAL DRUMS by Bernard Rogers


found mostly in arias and duets, (Transcription by t h e composer of t h e second movement
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imitation, will help p r o v i d e the in- Again available in t h e Mercury Music Catalog
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JUNE-JULY, NINETEEN SIXTY-SIX 105


and dramatically p o w e r f u l build-
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Books on desks,
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no music racks ordering o f numbers.
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I N INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC their aim in performance. But the
by W . Owen Beckley role-playing function of the c h o -
Supervisor of Instrumental Music
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By w a y of peroration, let it b e
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EIGHT CHORALE m u c h alive. Scholarly research c o n -
tinues to reveal n e w and pertinent
Settings from OPELLA data about this b o d y o f music,
keeping it alive. So, t o o , must the
NOVA I [1618] performance o f this v o c a l literature
live.
by J O H A N N HERMANN SCHEIN
Edited by L U D W I G LENEL • In conclusion, the question as to
No. 97-4713 $2.25 whether there is a specifically
1. A Mighty Fortress B a r o q u e "sound" can b e answered
2. Ο Lord, Look down from Heaven in terms of its constituents. First
3. Salvation Now to Us Has Come of these, a m o n g several o f equal
4. Our Father, Thou in Heaven importance, is the force and v i g o r
5. Dear Christians, One and All, Rejoice
6. Ο Lamb of God Most Holy
w h i c h propels the music urgently
7. My Soul Now Bless Thy Maker forward. It is revealed through the
8. From Depths of Woe I Cry to Thee quick repetition o f rhythmic figures
"Schein's Opella nova must be considered a contrasted with a restless rhythmic
milestone in the development of the chorale flexibility, and through a straight-
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forward continuous sound that cli-
maxes inevitably in the masculine

(oncordia
*The compositions a r e f o r t w o
v o i c e s , SS o r S A , a n d c o n -
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106 MUSIC EDUCATORS JOURNAL


As c o m p a r e d with the Renaissance,
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