[NewMusic] Shmounterpoint

[Matthew Goodheart]

On Jul 22, 2007, at 6:47 AM, John Ingle wrote:

> Btw, I always thought Palestrina and that era when species  
> conterponi took hold was much more boring than the less codified  
> music from uhhhhhh, memory, the Ars Nova when the music was  
> rhythmically, or conterpuntally wild. That music (like the French  
> mannerists in the 14? 15? century) was more intersted in rhythm and  
> independence of line than the vertical harmonies of the renaissance.


I would agree, but I also think those people listened to stuff  
differently. Stasis and repetition had different kinds of meaning, as  
did the cosmological meaning of harmony, etc.  This was a big  
revelation for me when studying the Brandenburgs, so I figure it must  
be even more different earlier. On the other hand, I'll still put in  
a vote for the Ars Subtilior being the most interesting counterpoint  
(as well as everything else)- though arguments rage as to whether is  
this was part of the Ars Nova or a different thing. . . anyway, the  
polymetric counterpoint of "Le greygnour bien" or the complex  
phrasing in "Helas pitie"- hard to find stuff that even comes close. . .


On a side note, contemporary counterpoint brought to mind "The  
Madeleine in the Mercury" by Pieter Snapper, for clarinet and  
electronics (mostly delay). Mostly canonical, some really nice  
counterpoint writing. This is from a live performance, I guess  
there's a CD out of it with Arthur Campbell. . . anyway, since most  
of y'all probably haven't heard it, I'll put it up for a day or  
so. . . http://matthewgoodheart.com/snapper.html

mg