My arrangement of Thomas Morley’s Besides a fountain adapts the original SSAT voicing for AATB recorders by transposing it up a fourth to better suit their range. In keeping with Renaissance tradition, bar lines are removed to encourage natural phrasing and fluid polyphony. Instead of measures, sections are marked with letters (A, B, C, etc.), guiding players toward the organic interplay of voices rather than strict metric divisions.

For musicians unfamiliar with barless music, focusing on phrasing rather than rigid counting can be helpful. Listening to the melodic contours and interplay of voices allows each line to breathe and shape naturally. The section markings serve as reference points rather than strict rhythmic guides, fostering a more fluid and responsive ensemble experience. This approach invites musicians to engage with the piece conversationally, emphasizing expressive freedom while maintaining Morley’s original structure.

"Minus-one" play-along files available.