Nikhil Hogan Show
96: Elam Rotem
Jun 22, 2020
In this episode, Dr. Elam Rotem, a real expert on early music, discusses the music scene in the 16th century and the famous musicians of that time. They explore the origins of madrigals, the role of Italy in music, and the contrasting styles of Renaissance classical music. The impact of Basso Continuo on composition and improvisation is also discussed, along with the historical use of temperaments in composition. The chapter ends with a discussion about studying at Skola Contorum in Basel.
45:58
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Quick takeaways
- The music scene in the 16th century was characterized by renowned composers such as Orlando de Lasso, Palestrina, and Gesualdo, who were widely known throughout Europe and composed mostly polyphonic music for four or five voices.
- Young composers in the 16th and 17th centuries learned music through polyphonic singing, private lessons with influential composers, and copying music, with a strong emphasis on practical application of theory through composing to truly understand counterpoint.
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Introduction and Historical Context
In this podcast episode, Dr. Elam Rotem, a harpsichordist, composer, and singer, discusses the music scene in Europe during the 16th century. He highlights that surviving music from this period is mostly polyphonic for four or five voices. He mentions renowned composers such as Orlando de Lasso, Palestrina, and Gesualdo, who were prominent figures and widely known throughout Europe at the time. Dr. Rotem explains that while the center of musical activity shifted to Italy in the 16th century, musicians from various countries contributed to the development of the music scene. He also introduces the concept of the Italian madrigal, describing it as a form of music where poems are set to music to amplify the emotions of the text.
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