Thanks! Music Express Vol. 18 No. 2

SKU: UT.ODH-35

ISBN 9790215322578. 9 x 12 inches.

L’amorosa caccia is a collection of 24 madrigals for five voices, created specially by as many composers originating from Mantua. All were distinguished professional people, working within the church, at court or in the Palatine basilica of Saint Barbara, and music lovers of noble birth from the area who were somehow connected to the Academy of the Invaghiti, or perhaps part of the same. Among the established musicians of the collection are to be mentioned: G.M. Bacchino, H. Baccusi, P. Cantino, A. Coma, G. Moro, S. Nascimbeni, A. Nuvoloni, N. Parma, G.B. Recalchi, F. Rovigo, A. Striggio, R. Trofeo. The lesser-known, however, seem to be: C. Accelli, E. Ceruti, S. Cressoni, P. Marni, A. Preti, while the following: H. Borelli, C. Ceruti, O. Grassi, P. Massari, G.B. Orto, F. Ramesini, C. Zucca have become known as composers only thanks to L’amorosa caccia.
The realization in score of the madrigals has made it possible to bring to light this collection, establishing its actual musical value and proving the remarkable mastery of madrigal writing of these 24 musicians and offering the opportunity to highlight each one’s different skill as a composer. If some of them have proved to be completely in line with the practices of the time, verging on Augenmusik, others stand out for the wide variety of their harmonies, melodies and rhythms, seeking the best musical expressions to express the affetti contained in the text.
There are no major breakthroughs, but, if the contrapuntal procedures are as to be expected, the body of voices, the experimentation, the interplay between the parts and the harmonic sensitivity show familiarity with the vocal virtuosity of the concerti di dame of Ferrara and Mantua, bringing out what was most modern at the time. The possibility that these madrigals may actually have been performed by that very group of talented singers is enchanting and entirely plausible.

SKU: GI.G-9915

ISBN 9781622774371.

In the world of music conducting there exist fundamental practices shared by all conductors regardless of the type of ensemble they conduct. Foundations of Conducting Technique is a comprehensive beginning conducting text—complete with pictures, online videos, and supplemental conducting etudes—to facilitate the development of a clear and expressive conducting technique. In this volume, author Frank Eychaner addresses three major areas for beginning conductors: gestural technique, score study, and leadership. For gestural technique, the text details a number of technical skills, including the appropriate use of the body, the roles of the right and left hand, basic conducting patterns and their derivatives, an application of Laban movement analysis, the importance of the conducting planes, and conducting with varied articulations (staccato, legato, and marcato), among others. Using direct language, Eychaner details clear cause and effect relationships between gesture and sound. In addressing score study, Eychaner states that all conducting gestures must be guided by an accurate and artistic aural image of a musical work. Rather than advocating for one particular approach, this volume presents a number of possible score study methods for the student to explore. The author also includes a convenient and complete score study checklist. Finally, the text addresses how to be an effective and ethical leader from the podium. Eychaner presents the transformational leadership model—a holistic and dynamic approach to leadership—as a positive pathway for improving the conductor’s effectiveness on and off the podium. Supplementing the text are music etudes to help students develop the technical skills of the conductor. The exercises are intentionally simple, consisting mostly of rhythmic materials and folk-like melodies, so that conductors can focus on mastery of gestural skills. Foundations of Conducting Technique is a major contribution to conducting pedagogy and an extraordinary resource that distills the essence of effective conducting gesture. An ideal text for undergraduate conducting courses, it is also a practical reference for anyone employed in the field, including music educators, church musicians, leaders of community ensembles, and professional conductors of all ensembles. Frank Eychaner, an international leader in conducting pedagogy, has been an educator and conductor for twenty-five years, working in public schools as well as with professional, collegiate, community, and church ensembles. He is currently Director of Choral and Vocal Studies at The University of Texas of the Permian Basin, where he teaches conducting, choral methods, and choral pedagogy, and conducts the Chamber Choir, Concert Choir, and Men’s and Women’s Choirs. Figure 29.5. Duruflé Requiem. Figure 29.6. Handel's Messiah. Of the Father's Love Begotten Give Thanks Appendix A: Conducting Evaluation Form Extended Bibliography.

SKU: BR.BV-481