Early Music: Defining the Scope and Performance of Historical Repertoire
The term early music is more than just a chronological label; it represents a complex intersection of historical repertoire and the scholarly effort to revive lost artistic traditions. Because the definition has evolved over centuries, different musicians, critics, and scholars often apply the term to different eras of musical history.
Defining the Historical Scope
The boundaries of what constitutes "early music" have shifted significantly depending on the era and the expert providing the definition. For instance, the Academy of Ancient Music, established in 1726, originally defined "Ancient" music as works composed before the end of the 16th century.
By the time of Johannes Brahms and his contemporaries, the perception had expanded to encompass the High Renaissance and the Baroque periods. In contrast, some modern scholars argue that the scope should extend even further back to include the music of ancient Greece or Rome before 500 AD, a timeframe typically categorized as Ancient music.
Not all experts agree on the inclusion of the Baroque era. Music critic Michael Kennedy, for example, excludes Baroque works, defining early music specifically as compositions from the earliest times up to and including the Renaissance period.
The Philosophy of Performance Practice
Beyond dates and eras, early music is defined by how it is played. Musicologist Thomas Forrest Kelly suggests that the essence of the genre lies in the revival of "forgotten" repertoire and the rediscovery of performance practice—the specific techniques and styles used by musicians of the time.
The UK's National Centre for Early Music provides a dual definition. They view early music as both a specific repertory—European music written between 1250 and 1750, covering the Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque periods—and a historically informed approach to performing that music.
In the modern era, the definition has broadened to include any music that requires a reconstructed performance style. This reconstruction is based on surviving scores, historical treatises, period instruments, and other contemporary evidence.
Key Facts
- Diverse Timelines: Definitions range from music before 500 AD to works written up to 1750.
- Core Eras: Generally encompasses the Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque periods.
- Performance Focus: Emphasizes the reconstruction of historically appropriate styles.
- Evidence-Based: Relies on surviving scores, instruments, and treatises for authenticity.
- Institutional Views: The National Centre for Early Music defines the repertoire specifically as European music from 1250 to 1750.
Summary of Early Music Interpretations
| Source/Expert | Defined Scope | Key Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Academy of Ancient Music (1726) | Before the end of the 16th century | Chronological boundary |
| Johannes Brahms & Contemporaries | High Renaissance to Baroque | Era-specific range |
| Michael Kennedy | Earliest times through Renaissance | Exclusion of Baroque |
| National Centre for Early Music | 1250 to 1750 (European) | Repertoire and performance approach |
| Modern General Definition | Any music requiring reconstructed style | Evidence-based authenticity |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does early music always include the Baroque period?
Not always. While the National Centre for Early Music and Johannes Brahms included the Baroque era, critic Michael Kennedy excludes it, limiting the definition to the Renaissance and earlier.
What is a historically informed approach to performance?
It is a method of performing music where the style is reconstructed using contemporary evidence, such as surviving instruments, historical treatises, and original scores, rather than using modern performance conventions.
How far back can early music go?
Depending on the scholar, it can extend back to ancient Greece and Rome before 500 AD, though this is often specifically referred to as Ancient music.
What is the significance of the years 1250 to 1750?
These dates are used by the UK's National Centre for Early Music to define the European repertory of early music, spanning the Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque eras.
Who is Thomas Forrest Kelly in the context of early music?
He is a musicologist who views early music as the revival of forgotten repertoires and the rediscovery of old performance practices.