 The True Cross
Medieval Italian Music for Easter |
|
Songs by the Italian laudesi brotherhoods that speak to the soul: direct expressions of sadness for the Crucifixion; ecstatic joy at the resurrection
The laudesi were Italian mercantile confraternities who sponsored para-liturgical services involving the singing of laude, candle processions, readings and prayers. A lauda is a vernacular monophonic song that involves solo verses, refrain-singing and instruments. The strophic form, choruses and folk-like simplicity of the melodies lend themselves to a highly narrative style of singing with much room for improvisation both vocal and instrumental. |