Musae

02/15/2025

You might be surprised to learn that centuries after his death, Manchicourt’s manuscripts resurfaced in Spanish collections, delighting scholars and puzzling historians.

After his passing in Madrid in 1564, some of his works drifted into royal archives and monastic libraries. Generations later, musicologists stumbled upon his motets and masses, tucked between volumes of more famous names. This slow rediscovery revealed not just notes, but a vivid picture of a composer who had quietly shaped a musical era.
As dusty shelves gave up their treasures, researchers learned that Manchicourt was a crucial link in the Franco-Flemish chain. His manuscripts revealed a unique voice, something that earlier historians—focused on titans like Josquin or Lassus—had overlooked. It’s a reminder that history still holds secrets, and that sometimes, the best stories are the ones we uncover centuries after the final note was sung.

If you’d like to celebrate this rediscovery, join The Choir of St. Luke in the Fields on Feb 13 for "Kings of the Earth and Queen of Heaven."
🎫🎫 In person + streaming 👉 stlukeinthefields.short.gy/feb13

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02/14/2025

Part of why Manchicourt’s music survived was due to the diligent work of early music printers, who saw genius where others saw old-fashioned style.

Tielman Susato in Antwerp was one such printer who believed in giving composers like Manchicourt a broader audience. At a time when tastes changed rapidly, these printed books ensured that even as fashion shifted, Manchicourt’s intricate lines were preserved on paper.
Few people appreciate the risk these printers took—ink and parchment were expensive, and if their publications didn’t sell, their livelihood suffered. But Susato and his peers recognized a timeless quality in Manchicourt’s craftsmanship. Because of their foresight, centuries later we can leaf through these printed volumes and marvel at a legacy that might have otherwise been lost to the tides of time.

If you’d like to hear the music these early pioneers saved for us, join The Choir of St. Luke in the Fields on Feb 13 for "Kings of the Earth and Queen of Heaven."

🎫🎫 In person + streaming 👉 stlukeinthefields.short.gy/feb13

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02/13/2025

Imagine uprooting your entire career to follow your king—Manchicourt did just that when he left Tournai behind to serve Philip II in far-off Madrid.

In 1559, Manchicourt abandoned familiar territory for Spain’s royal chapel, bringing his Franco-Flemish style to a new cultural landscape. The journey alone—across roads not always safe, carrying precious manuscripts and relying on royal escorts—was a feat of courage and faith in his craft.
Once in Madrid, he balanced delicate court politics with liturgical demands, adapting to the Spanish court’s tastes. While others might have struggled, Manchicourt thrived, impressing new audiences with his intricate textures and blending seamlessly with an entirely different musical milieu. It’s a chapter of his life that rarely makes headlines, yet it shaped his legacy and ensured his music would echo in Iberian corridors long after his passing.

If you want to hear the music that made kings beckon him across borders, join The Choir of St. Luke in the Fields on Feb 13 for "Kings of the Earth and Queen of Heaven."
🎫🎫 In person + streaming 👉 stlukeinthefields.short.gy/feb13

👉 Link in Bio

02/10/2025

If you think Renaissance composers sit like dusty statues in a museum, think again—Manchicourt still sparks creative fire in modern artists.

Jazz vocalists who experiment with close harmonies, indie bands layering ethereal backing vocals, even contemporary classical composers who push the boundaries of tonality—all find hints of possibility in Manchicourt’s intricate weavings. "He showed me that complexity can feel natural, not forced," said a young composer who merges electronics with choral textures.

These innovators don’t imitate Manchicourt; they converse with him across time, borrowing his sense of balance, his trust in human voices to create magic without a hundred-piece orchestra. They discover that ancient techniques can refresh modern ears, proving that good ideas never truly expire—they evolve, adapt, and breathe anew in each generation of music-makers.

If you want to hear the roots of these modern soundscapes, join The Choir of St. Luke in the Fields on Feb 13 for "Kings of the Earth and Queen of Heaven."
🎫🎫 In person + streaming 👉 stlukeinthefields.short.gy/feb13

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02/09/2025

Think of Manchicourt’s scores as a set of blueprints that today’s composers keep tucked in their back pockets.

Modern choral groups and arrangers routinely draw on Renaissance polyphony to refine their craft. One New York-based composer noted, "Manchicourt taught me to let each voice breathe and dance on its own, rather than forcing all parts into lockstep." This philosophy affects how singers collaborate, ensuring that modern interpretations still hold onto that delicate balance of independence and unity.

In today’s recording studios, producers experiment with layers of vocals inspired by these ancient techniques. Pop artists seeking lush vocal textures listen to Franco-Flemish masters for guidance, blending past wisdom with present innovation. The result? Albums and performances that echo with a subtle richness, hearkening back to a golden age of choral writing.

If you want to experience the original blueprints of modern vocal layering, join The Choir of St. Luke in the Fields on Feb 13 for "Kings of the Earth and Queen of Heaven."

🎫🎫 In person + streaming 👉 stlukeinthefields.short.gy/feb13

👉 Link in Bio

02/08/2025

Contemporary composers, even those who dabble in electronic or minimalist genres, find lessons in Pierre de Manchicourt’s intricate counterpoint.
A modern vocal arranger once remarked, "Studying Manchicourt is like learning to braid sound—the complexity teaches your ear to balance subtle tensions." This approach shapes how today’s artists craft harmonies, challenging them to create soundscapes where no single voice or instrument overwhelms the others.

We see his influence in unexpected places: a choral ensemble blending classical techniques with jazz harmonies, or a film score composer layering voices to evoke ancient reverence. Manchicourt’s polyphony gives them permission to think big while remaining painstakingly precise—reminding us that complexity, when lovingly sculpted, can feel as natural and graceful as a single melody.

If you’re ready to hear what inspired so many of today’s musical trailblazers, join The Choir of St. Luke in the Fields on Feb 13 for "Kings of the Earth and Queen of Heaven."
🎫🎫 In person + streaming 👉 stlukeinthefields.short.gy/feb13

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02/07/2025

Imagine stepping into a musical workshop where voices are the tools—chiseling, carving, and polishing sound into sculpture.

In these Renaissance works, sopranos add fine details, carving filigrees high above. Altos chisel out the middle contours, giving dimension and depth. Tenors act as steady hands guiding the form, and basses lay the solid foundation that grounds the entire structure. The result is a sonic sculpture, intricate yet unified, shaped by human breath and will.

Over the centuries, this sculptural approach to composition has influenced countless artists. By embracing multiple voices working in tandem, Manchicourt helped define what choral music could be. Today, we marvel at the enduring elegance of these vocal sculptures, grateful that time has not eroded their beauty.

If you’re ready to stand in awe of these living sculptures, join The Choir of St. Luke in the Fields on Feb 13 for "Kings of the Earth and Queen of Heaven."

🎫🎫 In person + streaming 👉 stlukeinthefields.short.gy/feb13

👉 Link in Bio

02/06/2025

Think of each vocal line as a thread—on its own, beautiful but fragile; together, they form a fabric strong enough to withstand centuries.

Manchicourt knew that the key to lasting artistry lay in balance. The soprano threads shimmer delicately, while the alto threads lend texture and subtle hue. Tenors add pattern and shape, creating a sense of forward movement, and the bass threads provide the foundation, ensuring the entire tapestry doesn’t unravel.

In this woven soundscape, no single part can claim the spotlight for long. Instead, brilliance emerges from their interplay. The result is a style of music that remains fresh, centuries later—proof that true innovation lies not in one voice dominating, but in many voices collaborating. To sit in the presence of this tapestry is to witness musical craftsmanship at its finest.

If you’re ready to marvel at this centuries-old craft, join The Choir of St. Luke in the Fields on Feb 13 for "Kings of the Earth and Queen of Heaven."

🎫🎫 In person + streaming 👉 stlukeinthefields.short.gy/feb13

👉 Link in Bio

02/06/2025

Close your eyes and hear a secret whispered through centuries: a tapestry of six voices, each strand carefully woven by Manchicourt’s masterful ear.

One early music scholar, Dr. Elaine Shore, once wrote, "Manchicourt’s polyphony is like a garden of rare flowers, each bloom adding fragrance to the whole." In his time, life was precarious—plagues, shifting alliances, and religious strife colored daily existence. Yet somehow, in that uncertain world, he shaped intricate melodies that transcended conflict, echoing faith, hope, and human yearning.

These compositions pushed boundaries, layering voices to create sonic cathedrals without a single stone. They challenged singers to blend perfectly, each line embracing and uplifting the others. In a world of candlelight and ink, he achieved a complexity that still dazzles our modern ears.

If you’re ready to stroll through that musical garden, join The Choir of St. Luke in the Fields on Feb 13 for "Kings of the Earth and Queen of Heaven".

🎫🎫 In person + streaming 👉 stlukeinthefields.short.gy/feb13

👉 Link in Bio

12/20/2024

Meet the artists! Get ready for a fantastic lineup of musicians this Sunday, 12/22 at 3pm in our "Home for the Holidays" concert.

Joining The Salvatones are Stephen Fraser playing the grand Paul Creston Memorial Pipe Organ and a gorgeous string quartet with Christiana Liberis-Hey, David Marks, Andy Lin, and Adrian Daurov. Every instrument is tuned to festive cheer and cherished melodies in the spirit of Christmas.

You can experience it live at St. Malachy's Church, The Actor's Chapel or via livestream.

🎫🎫 In person + streaming 👉 rebrand.ly/salvatones-dec22
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12/19/2024

Each vocal section can shine like a different facet of a gemstone, reflecting light from every angle.”

The interplay of sopranos, altos, tenors, and basses is the heart of choral magic. Sopranos bring brightness, altos add depth, tenors soar in the midrange, and basses ground the harmony. Together, they create a captivating spectrum of vocal colors. It’s a reminder that different voices and people unite to form something beautiful and whole. As they blend their timbres, you gain a deeper appreciation for how a choir embodies collaboration, trust, and a shared purpose.

Hear each voice sparkle—on December 22 at 3 pm, step into Saint Malachy’s and listen to each "tone" of the Salvatones becomes one magical sound.

🎫🎫 In Person + Streaming 👉 rebrand.ly/salvatones-dec22

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12/16/2024

Holiday stress? Consider it melted by a chorus of velvet voices. Let each note unknot your shoulders and lighten your heart!

Swap stress for serenity—join The Salvatones at "Home for the Holidays" on December 22 at 3 pm and let tension dissolve into a soothing soundtrack joined by Stephen Fraser on the resounding pipe organ and Christiana Liberis-Hey leading a stirring string quartet.

🎫🎫 In person + streaming 👉 rebrand.ly/salvatones-dec22

👉 Link in Bio

Experience holiday vocal magic with The Salvatones signature warmth and artistry