Ars subtilior notation as performance palimpsest - May 2003
In the May 2003 issue of Early Music (pp.196-209), Donald Greig's article 'Ars subtilior notation as performance palimpsest' considers some of the technical difficulties that arise when performing one of the most complex works of the late 14th-century Ars Subtilior repertory, Antonio Zacara da Teramo's Sumite karissimi. A full colour facsimile of the piece is reproduced in the article.
By clicking on the links below, you can hear performances of the seven examples that are variously notated, discussed and reproduced in the article. The recordings were specially made for this website by the Orlando Consort, and were funded in part by the Arts Faculty, University College Cork.
- Soundclip 1: Zachara da Teramo. Sumite karissimi, opening [447KB]
- Soundclip 2: Sumite karissimi, opening, phrased interpretation [457KB]
- Soundclip 3: Sumite karissimi, opening, 'independent' interpretation [442KB]
- Soundclip 4: Sumite karissimi, bars 36-42 [308KB]
- Soundclip 5: Sumite karissimi, bars 34-42, cantus omitted [306KB]
- Soundclip 6: Sumite karissimi, bars 34-42, countertenor omitted [312KB]
- Soundclip 7: Du Fay, Adieu ces bons vins de Lannoys [640KB]
Back to soundclips and facsimiles links page.