Number one

  This semester will be interesting. I am taking three classes that focus on 16th century music: Music History 1, 16th Century Counterpoint, and Viola Da Gamba ensemble/lesson. I was accidentally introduced to early music last year, and now I am so in love with the music that I wanted to explore further. 

In the Fall semester of 2011, one of the cellist in my studio was recruiting students to join Early Music ensemble. Since early music is not very popular, there had not been enough students to form a complete group. My friend, Alex shore, asked me to join the ensemble so tenaciously, and I finally joined the ensemble.

     The first day of the class started with our teacher giving out a recording of Viols ensemble playing many different styles of early music. Since I had to commute to school from home, I listen to the CD in the car on the way. As I listen to the soft viol sound, I was drawn into its earthy gut string sound that calmed me down. It was such a different sound from modern string instrument. For the first time I appreciated undecorated pure sound of string-no vibrato or fast trills. I found a beauty in the harmony itself.

     The song that stuck out most was by a composer, Orlando Gibbons. With so much imitation and varying textures, the music drew my attention immediately. I kept listening to this song over and over, and I started to wondering about who this composer is. I have played the piece myself later, and I loved Gibbons even more. I want to find out more about him, so that I can have an understanding of his pieces when I play his music.