Author Description

For many centuries a vast range of medieval music has remained unknown and unperformed. In recent times the labour of scholars has made the repertory once again available; performers have responded by showing that this music is not of historical interest only, but truly alive, moving and delightful. Here is a comprehensive new anthology which embodies these discoveries. This volume contains 106 complete pieces. They have been carefully selected to present musical development over nearly a thousand years. At the same time they are real music, well worth performance. They range in length from brief dances to a complete Mass according to the Use of Salisbury and The Play of Herod. In spite of their high quality few of the items will be familiar, and all but a handful have been freshly edited for this anthology. Each work has its own commentary. Texts are in the original languages, but translations are provided in all cases.