Early Music Lab

How do we execute baroque ornaments? What are “correct” baroque bowings? What can we learn from gut strings, baroque bows, and historical keyboards? What are baroque tunings and temperaments?

Early Music Lab welcomes curious string and keyboard players interested in exploring the sound world of gut strings, baroque bows, and current stylistic conventions in the Early Music revival movement. We will spend five minutes at each session discussing a short reading, and then dive into playing a rich repertoire of seventeenth- and eighteenth-century European art music. This conductor-less chamber formation may break into smaller chamber groups, depending on interests. 

Participants will have access to Cornell’s collection of restored baroque instruments or modern copies for the semester.

This ensemble is open to any qualified member of the Cornell community. For music majors and minors, participation in Early Music Lab fulfills the collaborative performance requirement.

Pitch level is A=415. We anticipate the following openings:

Violin: 6 spots 
Viola: 2 spots 
Cello: 2 spots
Bass: 1 spot 
Harpsichord: 2 spots

No prior experience in performing on a period instrument is required, but some experience with a modern instrument is assumed. Participation is by audition. Please write to al2255@cornell.edu.

A quick note on the audition:

The purpose of the “audition” is simply to hear you play in order to make appropriate choices for orchestra rotations and ensemble placements. Please be assured that you should not be stressed about this — it's simply a musical introduction. String players should prepare one or two short movements of a baroque sonata, concerto, or suite. Players new to baroque instruments should play the audition on your modern instruments. You may choose to play at A=415 or A=440 pitch, whichever is more comfortable. Note that the auditions will proceed without accompaniment, but you are welcome to play movements of what would normally be an accompanied work. Harpsichordists should prepare a short solo piece or a movement of a longer work. You will also sight-read a short continuo excerpt. If you’re new to harpsichord and continuo playing, you are highly recommended to enroll in harpsichord and figured bass lessons in addition to Early Music Lab.

For additional details and possibilities for participation by wind-instrument players, write to al2255@cornell.edu.