For you SCA types

[sarahbyrdd]

Which period (or close enough) songs do you think should be in the repertoire of the general populace?  I'm thinking something handy for campfire or waiting for feast sing-a-longs, or a jaunty tune for processing onto the battlefield.  Just curious. 

Comments

[liamstliam.livejournal.com]

We must discuss this at dinner at Roses.

Born On The Listfield is one that comes immediately to mind.

[sarahbyrdd.livejournal.com]

It's a date. I did some nosing around and discovered that the composer prefers that piece to remain in the oral tradition (though lyrics did pop up). Do you know if the tune an original composition or a contrafacta of something period (or of something modern)?

I'm also looking for bona fide period songs that are accessible to the general populace. They're out there. I know they are ...

[dulcinbradbury.livejournal.com]

Hi... I'm over from someone linking to you on Katherine Ashewode's journal. I'm Aoife. I'm not sure if we've met.

How do you feel about Contrafacta? Master William has written several to period dance tunes. The advantage there is that people are already familiar with the music: http://webspace.webring.com/people/nj/jeff_suzuki/SCAfilk.htm

The Cantigas de Santa Maria would also be good sources for Contrafacta tunes. The difficulty with many original pieces is that the language is a barrier to the average person. However, there are at least a few possibilities.

"Pastime with Good Company" is a pretty good choice. I have a few more that just don't want to come to mind right now, but, when I'm not at work I'll try to dig a few more up. Oh... I've been thinking that "Now Winter Nights Enlarge" by Campion is worth knowing. It's a sort of fluffy piece, but, it's approachable. http://www.luminarium.org/renlit/winter.htm

[sarahbyrdd.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I'll check out those links. Fluffy is good. I'm a fan of fluffy! Don't get me wrong, I enjoy good filking of modern tunes. I just get annoyed when that's all there is, or when folk tunes are passed off as period because they're "traditional".

I also agree that language is a stumbling block for accessability with period music. I think contrafacta of period tunes are a good solution to the language problem. Even things in Middle English are pushing it for many people. But I keep hoping. I mean, really, how cool would it be if everyone could sing at least ONE bona fide period tune.

I recognize that the SCA now has its own repertoire. I'm interested in pushing that envelope backwards towards more accurate music for our time period.