Early Polyphony
Interested in some really old polyphonic music? Read on.
Consider Pérotin, 12th/13th century composer, probably in Paris. He was one of the first to introduce three- and four-part singing. The music definitely has that “mediaeval” sound to it, and it has a very different pace from what we usually associate with “classical” or even “renaissance” music. For example, his organum “Viderunt Omnes”, here performed by the Hilliard Ensemble.
Fast-forward to the 15th century, and to Antoine Brumel. His Missa Et Ecce Terrae Motus requires a 12-part choir (mind you, this was 600 years ago!) and takes about 40 minutes to perform. The complexity is simply astounding, and the music requires rather accomplished singers. It is also fascinating how the composition is actually a comment, an interpretation of the text of the Latin mass. Voilà.
Tags: music