EASTERN EARLY MUSIC FORUM

'Ecce Beatam Lucem'

Striggio forty-part motet

Saturday 6^th May 2006
Waltham Abbey

Tutored by Philip Thorby

F

OR the second year running Waltham Abbey Church welcomes the TVEMF & EEMF workshop under the direction of Philip Thorby. This time the work is Alessandro Striggio's forty-part Ecce Beatam Lucem, considered to have almost certainly been written in honour of Cardinal Ippolito d'Este for his visit to Florence in 1561. Once again our challenge is to spend a day rehearsing the work, rounding off with an afternoon performance. With typical Philip Thorby aplomb we launch the attack, commencing with detailed work on a phrase half way through the piece, then working backwards. Philip reiterates that Ecce Beatam Lucem should not be compared to the forty-voice Spem in Alium, subject of last summer's workshop and indeed it does feel quite different - more intimate with tricky syncopation and close voicings.

AS we work through the piece we are encouraged to hear the tonality and to allow the pulse and momentum inherent within the composition to dictate. Philip's passion, humour and concern for detail are catching and by the time we're ready for the performance we are focused and listening well to each other. Tricky passages have smoothed themselves out and the beauty of the Italian-Latin vocal sound is surfacing. In addition to the chamber organ, played by Stephen Bullamore, Director of Music at Waltham Abbey, and the continuo, we have a lovely ensemble of early instruments. Recorders, sackbut, cornett, viol, harp, curtal and violins combine beautifully with the choirs and add a powerful authenticity. But perhaps more than anything what makes the day special is Waltham Abbey Church itself. The stone Norman arches and decorated roof positively breathe tranquillity - no atmosphere could be more ideal for such a spiritual collaboration. The performance itself is wonderful.

Deanna Johnson

Extracted from EEMF Newsletter 62, June 2006