December 13, 2001
Medieval chant concert returning
Last December, the new Mary Gates Hall was the scene of a musical experiment – a performance of medieval chant in the Commons. Music history Professor JoAnn Taricani had hoped that the large open space would provide the type of acoustical effect found in the spaces where medieval chant had been performed 1,000 years ago.
“The results were wonderful,” she said. “The bricks, glass, and wood provided wonderful reverberation for medieval chant; the hall itself became an instrument we had to learn to tune.”
The group was also asked by many audience members to return for another event. So at
7:30 p.m. on Dec. 15 and 16, students in the Collegium Musicum of the School of Music will be back in the Commons for more concerts of early music, in a program titled “Nativity 1001.” The singers will present a combination of the oldest chant in existence, along with some later songs from the 12th century related to medieval celebrations of Christmas.
“We have chosen music that will highlight the sound quality of the hall,” said Taricani. “The slightly later music has a more rhythmic impact, and we will be adding a lute player for a few pieces to vary the sound.”
Tickets for the concerts are still available at $8 general, $5 student/senior. They can be ordered in advance or purchased at the door of the concert if space is available. For information, call 206-685-0569.
