The Glory of Polyphony

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

The point I was trying to make is that we should remember that not all Radio 3’s listeners are experts on, in this case, Polyphony.

Indeed; and I think that you made it very clearly.

The point that I was/am trying to make - or, perhaps more accurately, the question I wish to ask - is will anyone listening to these programmes come away with a greater understanding of what Polyphony is (why it is - or can be - glorious), or is the purpose of the series entirely to wallow in "the glory"?

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Totally irrelevant, but one of the best explanations of Quanta IMV is a recent Youtube upload on the subject of Quantum Computing:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lypnkNm0B4A&t=25s

[Serial_Apologist]

And I now see that this coming Sunday's programme (June 10) is actually going into an earlier polyphonic phase, in dealing with music by Josquin and Isaac. So... why do it in this unchronological order? Perhaps dovers can explain how this approach introduces this fascinating subject to previously unknowledgeable people?

[doversoul1]

And I now see that this coming Sunday's programme (June 10) is actually going into an earlier polyphonic phase, in dealing with music by Josquin and Isaac. So... why do it in this unchronological order? Perhaps dovers can explain how this approach introduces this fascinating subject to previously unknowledgeable people?

If this series were about opera and aimed at the listeners who are interested but have no knowledge of it, I think it might work better if they hear on the first programme something like The Barber of Seville or Madam Butterfly*, and in the second programme, the listeners could hear how this amazing art started. Then L’Orfeo and maybe Peri's work can be introduced. From there, the programme could explain how opera developed and why. I think this was roughly how Antonio Pappano’s TV series about opera started. Admittedly, it went into L’Orfeo after only a couple of excerpts of famous’ works in the first programme.
* the story lines can be easily followed.

Having said all this, I do agree that the series could have been different. It’s a silly title to start with. Poor Peter Phillips. I’m sure he would have loved to have produced the series himself.

Bringing back Radio3 from the underworld where it seems to have gone isn’t going to be easy. I would like to encourage any signs of progress even very small ones and hope that it will keep on walking towards where it should be.

[greenilex]

Anyway, plenty of people recognise plainsong when they hear it being murdered by a celebrant...
Some of us were obliged to have a crack at it as kids.

[doversoul1]

Some of us were obliged to have a crack at it as kids.

Many of us can only envy at those who had such an opportunity.

[Serial_Apologist]

Anyway, plenty of people recognise plainsong when they hear it being murdered by a celebrant...
Some of us were obliged to have a crack at it as kids.

At school, we had a Welsh chaplain who had a rich tenor voice, which in leading the Responses ("Oh Lord open Thou our lips") he would project to make it seem as if it were coming from different parts of the chapel. Extraordinary, unearthly, we all used to think.

[antongould]

........

Bringing back Radio3 from the underworld where it seems to have gone isn’t going to be easy. I would like to encourage any signs of progress even very small ones and hope that it will keep on walking towards where it should be.

I feel, like you, it is a sign of progress .... I missed it live but caught up on iplayer and really enjoyed it and most certainly will listen to the whole series. Thanks for bringing it to my attention .....

[doversoul1]

Tonight 23.30
Josquin des Prez and Heinrich Isaac.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0b5t0kg

[jean]

Now that's more like it!

[Serial_Apologist]

Now that's more like it!

[ardcarp]

Agreed. I enjoyed the pieces played in their (approx) entirety, but wondered how much the very brief 'examples' from the BBCS added anything. I thought PP had a most pleasing conversational approach, in which his scholarship came over well, but lightly and sometimes humourously. I don't know if our comments upthread had any influence on this week's programme, but we did get a potted history from 1000AD to 1450 in about two minutes...in which the Notre Dame School got a mention.

BUT...one thing I just cannot abide is speaking over the music about to be played...as if it wasn't important enough to listen to. This silly production fad is so un-Radio 3. Take note for next week please!!

PS Should this thread be on The Choir or on Early Music? I'm not clever enough to shift it.

[Serial_Apologist]

Agreed. I enjoyed the pieces played in their (approx) entirety, but wondered how much the very brief 'examples' from the BBCS added anything. I thought PP had a most pleasing conversational approach, in which his scholarship came over well, but lightly and sometimes humourously. I don't know if our comments upthread had any influence on this week's programme, but we did get a potted history from 1000AD to 1450 in about two minutes...in which the Notre Dame School got a mention.

BUT...one thing I just cannot abide is speaking over the music about to be played...as if it wasn't important enough to listen to. This silly production fad is so un-Radio 3. Take note for next week please!!

PS Should this thread be on The Choir or on Early Music? I'm not clever enough to shift it.

Probably best left where it is as being between those categories, ardy.

[doversoul1]

BUT...one thing I just cannot abide is speaking over the music about to be played...as if it wasn't important enough to listen to. This silly production fad is so un-Radio 3. Take note for next week please!!

Did you listen to the Hanseatic League Early Music Show (you have been warned)?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0b527ns

Does this tell us something?

[ardcarp]

Will try and catch up. So much to listen to and only one lifetime!