Special Projects 2025-26

MADRIGALS AND CACCIA FROM THE TRECENTO

The 14th century in Italy witnessed the evolution of a poetic and musical culture distinct from that of France and England, with the first examples of polyphony in the vernacular, adopting forms such as the madrigal, the caccia and the ballata. Members of CEMC have been working on a programme bringing together examples from the Rossi, Panchiatichi and Squarcialupi manuscripts alongside monophonic laude and motets by Ciconia. These will be discussed in a special symposium and showcase concert on March 6. See our EVENTS page for details.

DUNSTABLE: SALVE SCEMA SANCTITATIS

Dunstable’s motet, in honour of St Katherine of Alexandria, is a mature and sophisticated isorhythmic motet whose scoring and sonorities presage significant changes in composition technique in the mid-15th century. Working from the manuscript source known as ModB, from Ferrara, members of CEMC have recorded a video performance of this work, with an introduction by Dr Edward Wickham, which can be viewed HERE.

ISAAC AND MOUTON

The larger CEMC group this year has been continuing to work on Franco-Flemish polyphony including the large-scale ceremonial Virgo prudentissima by Heinrich Isaac, and Mouton’s transcendent motet Nesciens mater.