I am very pleased with the last 10 days. I’ve been rehearsing non-stop, and had so much success. My efforts as a conductor are sounding better and better. The Montreal Consort should be up and running soon in more concrete ways – we had a very, very good recording session Friday night. We worked on Quomodo Cantabimus by William Byrd, and Sancte Deus by Tallis. Music from the Renaissance really is as important as any symphony out there, but they are a part of a history now which we are still attempting to reconstruct. The English school from 1450 to 1600 is incredibly innovative, challenging, and unique. What makes it most unique is their aesthetic for sound. I find this example, which is for very few voices particularly inspired:
John Wiens, Conductor 