Astonishment (by Trinitrotolaissance)
God, this is so gorgeous.
The piece is My Lady Carey’s Dompe. This piece is one of the very oldest—if not THE oldest—extant piece of music written for keyboard. It consists of an ostinato in the left hand of alternating arpeggiated G minor and D Minor chords which is overlaid by meandering melodic lines. It seems that it was originally an improvisation by some English gentleman that somebody happened to write down, but it is most unlikely we’ll ever know who played it.
The instrument seems to be a muselaar, a northern European relative of the Virginals that was purported by one critic to “grunt in the bass like young pigs.” While it’s true that the muselaar is more suited for chord-and-melody playing because of its bass, I’ve always felt like they sound like a charming old gentleman chuffing away in whatever conversation he’s having with the player.
A thing that I think is so very neat about this particular playing is the exact reason why I think the player is seated at a muselaar (I also didn’t really check the description because I was too excited and NO TURNING BACK). The player has engaged the arpichordium stop, which is almost exclusively found on muselaars. This brings small leaden hooks into contact with the strings of the bass and causing them to sort of buzz and snarl.
Altogether, this stop produces a sound that’s reminiscent of the sitar and is altogether astral and gorgeous.
Furthermore, another excellent rendition is Elaine Camparone’s. It is clear, precise and carries a proper, solemn air. She does it great justice. She uses the lute stop in the second half with great efficacy. It is so fun to watch Miss Camparone move with the music; she is so into it, as a great musician should be. Also, just LOOK at that harpsichord. I want one like that and a proper stand for it, too.
And just… That look at the end.
It’s as though she had a conversation with a man centuries departed and now it’s over. It looks very nearly like she’s lost a friend.
That sort of feeling, when playing music or reading books, is one that I feel very often.
via Tumblr http://sirnot.tumblr.com/post/41556935865
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