Music and Musicians at the Collegiate Church of St Omer: Crucible of Song, 1350-1550

During the late Middle Ages, music was crucial in expressing people's social, psychological, and eschatological needs. This book explores the role of music in a significant church in late Medieval Northern France, highlighting the contributions of musicians from this region who established the musical agenda across Europe and created some of the most sophisticated music in the Western tradition.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 329 pages
Publication date: 10 November 2022
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

In the late Middle Ages, music played a vital role, serving as a conduit for expressing the social, psychological, and eschatological desires of the people. This transformative process commenced with the training of choirboys, whose exceptional skills held immense significance in shaping institutional identity. Kings and emperors, recognizing the value of these skills, actively intervened in the recruitment of choirboys and older singers, leveraging their influence to construct and articulate their self-image and perceived status. Through the examination of a meticulously preserved archive, this book delves into the functioning of music within a prominent church in late Medieval Northern France. It explores a period when musicians from this region exerted a profound influence, creating some of the most sophisticated and intricate music in the Western musical tradition. Rather than solely celebrating the achievements of those who cultivated this music, the book takes a closer look at the personal motivations that shaped their lives and work, providing a rich and nuanced understanding of the era.

Weight: 566g
Dimension: 170 x 243 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108813655