Vielles, harp, recorders, percussion and voices evoke soaring birds, slithering reptiles, and creatures like the unicorn and basilisk. Serving as both mythology and Christian allegory, these fantastic visions of the animal kingdom continue to provoke the modern as well as the medieval imagination.
Vielles, harp, recorders, percussion and voices evoke soaring birds, slithering reptiles, and creatures like the unicorn and basilisk. Serving as both mythology and Christian allegory, these fantastic visions of the animal kingdom continue to provoke the modern as well as the medieval imagination.
The Art of Diminution - An Exploration of 15th- to 17th-Century Style Melodic OrnamentationThe notes written on the page are often not the end of the story, but rather a starting point for further interpretation and ornamentation. This workshop explores diminutions in the style of the 15th- to 17th centuries by both playing existing diminutions from those time periods, as well as analyzing some of the typical ornamentation patterns and trying them out on unornamented melodies ourselves. We will play compositions by Jacques Arcadelt, Conrad Paumann, John Dowland, and Anonymous, among others, with ornamentations by Diego Ortiz, Jacob van Eyck, and Anonymous.
The workshop material is geared towards upper intermediate and advanced players (but of course everyone is welcome to attend).
The workshop will explore tunes from our “O’Carolan Fiddle Tunes for Two”. This collection contains 32 tunes composed by the great blind 17th century Irish harpist and poet, Turlough O’Carolan.
ARS Online Beginners’ Classes in Soprano/Tenor Recorder with Lewis Baratz
ARS introduces our next Free Online Beginner’s course in Soprano and/or Tenor Recorder. An ideal instrument for people looking forward to the social experience of playing with others, the recorder is also a flexible instrument for playing music from the Middle Ages to the present day. Most people can learn the basics and start playing in a relatively short time.
Lewis Baratz’s classes will be held:
Monday, June 16, 2025 at 7:00 PM Eastern Time (ET) (6:00 CT, 5:00 MT, 4:00 PT)
Monday, June 23, 2025 at 7:00 PM ET (6:00 CT, 5:00 MT, 4:00 PT)
Monday, June 30, 2025 at 7:00 PM ET (6:00 CT, 5:00 MT, 4:00 PT)
Monday, July 7, 2025 at 7:00 PM ET (6:00 CT, 5:00 MT, 4:00 PT)
Lewis will provide materials in PDF derived from a variety of sources as well as original material. And if you don’t already read music, no problem, as basic music-reading skills will be discussed as well. This course will guide you through basic sound production, hand position, finger technique, and tonguings, and give you the opportunity to see what the recorder can do and personally experience its appeal. The course is geared to students of all ages, but children 12 and under should be joined by an adult during the class.
If you don’t already own a “C” soprano or tenor recorder consider starting out with a plastic recorder such as the Aulos “Haka” soprano model or the Yamaha "Rottenburgh" or “Ecodear” plastic sopranos. These instruments are often easier to play and last longer than inexpensive wooden models. Plastic tenor recorders are also available.
You can inquire or purchase recorders at:
Von Huene Workshop (The Early Music Shop of New England), Boston, MA: (617) 277-8690
Honeysuckle Music, St. Paul, MN: (651) 644-8545
Lazar's Early Music, Carson City, NV: (866) 511-2981
William Byrd’s Masterly 6-part Pavan and Galliard In our June NAVRS playing meeting, come join renowned Flanders Recorder Duo (FR2) members Tom Beets and Joris Van Goethem in an exploration of William Byrd’s famous six-part Pavan and Galliard.The pavan is made of three contrapuntal strains, starting with a hint of melancholy and evolving in an elaborate and sublime manner. As is customary, the pavan is paired with a galliard in triple meter. Tom and Joris have recorded all the parts of this Byrd Pavane and Galliard and will take us through our paces so we can understand the music and make a beautiful sound.
The Highland Park Recorder Society is offering a Consort Studio in central New Jersey, monthly sessions in ensemble playing for intermediate and above recorder players to play with one another and other instruments under a skilled conductor, with professional accompaniment.
Music Director Steven Russell will lead a “Consort Studio” ensemble of recorder players in an exploration of Baroque Trio Sonatas through rehearsal, instruction and demonstration and end with the players opportunity to play solo alto with a professional ensemble of harpsichord and violin, flute, or oboe depending on the music. Focusing on ensemble skills, this will take place in a welcoming, intimate environment that encourages people to feel comfortable to get up and play. We will have opportunities to warm up on Renaissance music with SATB recorders, so bring all sizes.
January 11, 2025
Giuseppe Sammartini Sonata II in F for 2 Alto Recorders and Continuo
Meredyth Coleman, oboe
Ruth Ochs, cello
Second part played by oboe
February 22, 2025
Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach Trio in F Major for Bass Recorder, Viola, and Continuo
Tina Wagner, viola
Ruth Ochs, cello
We will play the recorder part on alto first, then anyone who wants can play on bass
Both treble clef and bass clef parts are available
March 22, 2025
Georg Friedrich Handel Sonata II in F for Alto Recorder and Violin (Op. 2 No. 4)
Alexei Yavtuhovich, Violin
Ruth Ochs, cello
April 26, 2025
Georg Philipp Telemann Trio Sonata in A Minor (42:a6) for alto recorder and oboe.
Nick Gatto, oboe
Ruth Ochs, cello
May 24, 2025
Georg Philipp Telemann Trio Sonata in F (42:F6) for alto recorder and violin.
Alexei Yavtuhovich, Violin
Ruth Ochs, cello
June 28, 2025
Georg Philipp Telemann Trio 8 in B Flat Major for alto recorder and solo harpsichord.
Steven Russell, harpsichord
TBA, cello
June 29 - July 6 & July 6 - July 13, 2025
Muhlenberg College, Allentown, PA
Directed by Frances Blaker
Music of the German Lands
❦ Week 1 (June 29 - July 6): Central Program, Baroque Academy, Historical Dance, Ensemble Singing Intensive, Lute Society of America East
❦ Week 2 (July 6-13): Central Program, Choral Workshop Medieval Project, and New London Assembly
See website for program information, tuition, and room & board options, and to register!