Date/Time
Date(s) - 15 Nov 2014
3:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Location
First Church in Cambridge
Category(ies) No Categories
Capturing Music
Writing and Singing Music in the Middle Ages
A multimedia event exploring the power of written music in pictures and sound
Thomas Forrest Kelly
Morton B. Knafel Professor of Music, Harvard University
Blue Heron
Scott Metcalfe, director
Saturday, November 15, 2014 • 3 PM & 8 PM
A multimedia event in two parts with a dinner break, this unique presentation will explore the power of written music in pictures and sound. Professor Kelly will present, and Blue Heron will sing, key moments in the art of music from c. 800 to c. 1400, including Gregorian chant, organa by Leonin and Perotin, and songs by Machaut, Ciconia, Senleches, and Cordier.
In course of the day, Prof. Kelly, described as “a master storyteller” by Ross Duffin, will explore and explain one of history’s greatest technological leaps: the invention and improvement of a method of recording music for all time. Along the way, the audience will learn why the black keys are spaced irregularly on the piano, and why we sing “do-re-mi-fa”. In addition to Blue Heron’s sung musical examples, large-scale projections of the manuscripts and other documents will enhance the presentation even further.
The event coincides with the publication of Prof. Kelly’s book Capturing Music: The Story of Notation (Norton), a lavishly illustrated book that comes with a companion CD containing 16 tracks recorded by Blue Heron. A review in Harvard Magazine calls it “a sensory feast”, which is also precisely the aim of this Special Event.
The book will be available for purchase at the event and the author will be on hand to sign copies.
First Church in Cambridge, Congregational
11 Garden Street, Cambridge
fully accessible • T Red Line, Harvard Square
Free parking at University Place Garage (with validation at concert)
reserved seating $90 / $63.75
general admission $45 / $37.50 senior / $15 student & low income / under 18 free (at the door only)
(plus $3 for sales at the door)
* This is one event in two halves. One ticket entitles you to attend both parts.
* This event is NOT part of Blue Heron’s subscription series.
A “Q&A” session will be held before the second part, at 7:00 PM, with Prof. Kelly and Scott Metcalfe.
Buy tickets in advance online at www.blueheronchoir.org
or contact [email protected] • (617) 960-7956