Challenges and conundrums

New research on a little known music theory manuscript at the University of Melbourne

DULCIE HOLLYOCK ROOM, BAILLIEU LIBRARY, UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE, FRIDAY 29 MAY 2015

This one-day symposium offers the opportunity to hear international and Australian early music researchers present new findings on LHD 244, an extraordinary manuscript from the Louise Hanson-Dyer Music Library rare collections at the University of Melbourne.

LHD 244, despite its diminutive size, comprises more than 20 theoretical texts on musical rudiments and performance from the late 14th to early 17th centuries. Its oldest texts are a compilation of well-known and otherwise totally unknown treatises from the late 14th and 15th centuries. The many later  additions include psalm-tones, prayers and more unknown treatises, on composition and organ playing.

Join us for the whole day, or just for the morning of individual paper presentations, or be part of the afternoon's round table discussion, 'Placing LHD 244: Answers and future tasks'.

Co-convenors are Dr Jason Stoessel (University of New England) and Professor Kerry Murphy (Melbourne Conservatorium of Music). LHD 244 will be on display during the Symposium.

Symposium program

Time Details
9.00 Tea and coffee
09.30 Welcome to the seminar by University Librarian, Philip Kent
09.40 Kerry Murphy (University of Melbourne)
The legacy of Louise Hanson-Dyer
09.50 Richard Excell (University of Melbourne)
Discovering LHD 244
Chair – Kerry Murphy
10.00 Jason Stoessel (University of New England)
The making of Louise Hanson-Dyer Music Library manuscript 244 (LHD 244)
10.30 Jan Herlinger (University of Alabama; Louisiana State University)
LHD 244: The earliest layer and what it tells us
11.00 Morning tea
Chair – Jason Stoessel
11.30 Linda Page Cummins (University of Alabama)
The modern reception of "Nicolaus de Capua": From Paris to Melbourne
12.00 Carol J. Williams (Monash University)
Ars plane musice of Nicolaus de Aversa
12.30 Denis Collins (University of Queensland)
The anonymous writings on figured bass in LHD 244
1.00 LUNCH
Moderator – Jason Stoessel
2.00-4.00 Round table: Placing LHD 244—Answers and future tasks

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