Events

9th International Course on Medieval Music Performance (Besalú/Lleida 2020)

Paris 1100-1350: Secular and Sacred Music from the Most Vibrant and Sophisticated City of the Middle Ages

Between the 12th and the 14th centuries the city of Paris became one of the most emblematic and awe-inspiring places in the Medieval West. The great thinkers and teachers of the time gathered around its university, merchants and their trade strengthened an ever-growing economy, and the new Cathedral of Notre Dame became a centre of outstanding artistic development.

Paris’ growth prompted an extraordinary musical progress: the music of the Church was embellished by the most magnificent polyphony (organum and conductus), the monophonic song in Latin and French (clerical and trouvère) became an unprecedented vehicle for religious and secular expression, the intricate polytextual motet was created for the entertainment of intellectuals, and instrumental and dance music grew more complexed and was heard in every corner of the city.

In 2020 The International Course of Medieval Music Performance of Besalú (MMB 2020) will explore the music composed and performed in Paris between 1100 and 1350. This will include trouvère and clerical songs and dances, monophonic and polyphonic conductus, Ars antiqua motets, the great organum of Notre Dame, and the satirical Roman de Fauvel in addition to the study of vocal and instrumental improvisation in the Parisian style and the specific use of musical instruments in the city and its repertoires.