Artistic Director Dr Edward Wickham
As we approach the Christmas season and try to squeeze more commitments into the unyielding reality of the 24-hour day, there is the impression of time itself speeding up. Where did the term go? How is it that Christmas is already upon us? (Well, in Cambridge, there’s a good reason for that … we celebrate ‘Bridgemas’ fully a month earlier than the actual season, to allow students a taste of festivities before they go home for the vacation.)
But the idea that our perception of time passing can be so warped has been much on my mind for another reason as well. I am working on a very particular and unusual motet by the great Josquin Des Prez; a Marian work, suitable for Christmas, called Praeter rerum seriem. I first got to know this piece on one of the rare occasions I got to sing with the wonderful Tallis Scholars; and I have loved it ever since. It sets a jolly, triple time ‘cantio’, with a simple, lilting tune, against lower parts which bristle with activity, dancing around one another in imitative exuberance. At least, that’s how I hear it. But whenever I hear a recording, I get a very different sound-world; one which is dark, brooding, mysterious. It’s hard to say, especially with early music, that one interpretation is better or ‘more correct’ than another; but in this instance, I am forced to declare that I think these versions have got it wrong.
I have the privilege in Cambridge of teaching students who are willing to take musical risks; so this term I’ve been coaching them to sing this piece at what I regard as the appropriate speed. And the revelation was that what gets in the way of speed is words. The commitment to spitting out words, which is such an instinctive part of our choral music-making, drilled into us by all our choir directors, can sometimes get in the way. Throw away the words – or at least, don’t worry about them – and things can go a lot faster, while not actually sounding as busy or hurried.
Next time we meet, I’ll play you some recordings and you can see what you think…
Artistic Director Dr Edward Wickham
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