Heinrich Isaac’s (1450-1517) Choralis Constantinus (CC) is an anthology of 372; polyphonic motets, setting the texts of the Proper of the Mass, accompanied by five polyphonic settings of the Ordinary.
The immense amount of choral polyphony available to choirs in the CC is obviously of considerable variety. Here are found motets in simple duple meter contrasting with music of the most demanding rhythmic complexity. Very short motets exist that would barely last thirty seconds in performance. Certain motets would extend to nearly ten minutes in length. There are motets the texts of which are still in liturgical use. The texts in the CC encompass the entire church year and include a number of special saints’ days. Here, truly, is a vast wealth of literature for the choral world.
Because the CC has been known only through the writings of scholars instead of through actual performance of the music, a true assessment of Isaac’s magnum opus has not been possible. A fuller awareness of the many unexplored possibilities of early Renaissance music would be aided by editions of Isaac’s music in a format which will encourage choral performance without requiring special training to interpret it, or an inordinate amount of rehearsal time. The availability of such performance editions would allow us to experience the beauty of this long-neglected treasure.
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James D. Feiszli says
James D. Feiszli says
Sig Rosen says