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The Cancionero de Palacio is a Spanish manuscript of Renaissance music, compiled during a time span of about 40 years starting from the mid-1470s with several additions until the second decade of the 16th century. 

The source contains 458 works, most of them in Castilian, but some also in Latin, French, Catalan, and Galician-Portuguese language. The texts of the songs range from romantic, religious, festive, to satirical, burlesque, and pastoral themes, and more. The musical style is equally varied, with some compositions rooted in popular folk songs, and others representing elaborate polyphonic settings. 

Sessions are 75 min in length and are held via zoom. Students are able to ask live questions during the sessions. Music, supporting handouts, and sound files will be provided to be used for your individual practice at home between sessions. 

Open to all instrumentalists and singers. Reference sound files are created on recorders. This class is specifically geared towards students who already have completed the introductory notation class or have equivalent experience, and are interested to deepen their knowledge of 16th century notation and repertoire. I will make sure to include several examples of triple mensurations in the music selection of this series.

Squarcialupi Codex II 

Continuing our exploration of the Squarcialupi Codex (Florence, MS Mediceo Palatino 87) for a second series, in order to work with the remaining divisio of the Italian trecento notation: senaria perfecta, senaria imperfecta, and novenaria.

The Squarcialupi is an illuminated manuscript compiled in Florence in the early fifteenth century. It is named after the noted fifteenth-century organist Antonio Squarcialupi, who owned it. 

The Squarcialupi Codex is the single largest primary source of secular polyphonic music of the trecento. It consists of 216 parchment folios, organized by composer, with each composer's section beginning with a portrait of the composer richly illuminated in gold, red, blue and purple. The illuminated portraits of the musicians are attributed to Lorenzo Monaco and his circle.

The notation used in the Squarcialupi Codex is a mix of French ars nova and Italian trecento notation, notated on a music staff with six lines. In this series, we are primarily focusing on pieces that are notated in trecento style notation. If you were not part of the previous series (Squarcialupi I in January/February of 2025), you can still join in, there will be some review of the basic trecento principles. This class is geared towards experienced players of early notation.

This is a listening and viewing class rather than a playing or singing class. All are welcome to learn about and enjoy the captivating music and drama from this highlight of the Middle Ages! Open to all.

Designed for recorders but open to other instruments. Pitch = 440. The In Nomine parts are playable by players of most levels; other parts are more suitable for players who are higher intermediate and above.