Jan. 13, 2010 - Issue #743: Broken Embraces

The Classical Score

The Toronto Consort (online exclusive)

The music of Da Vinci's lifetime

He was a mathematician, inventor, scientist and artist. I’m talking about Leonardo Da Vinci, of course; however, this man had yet another lesser-known talent. He was also a musician. And according to the report of his contemporaries, he was a darn good one, too.

“Apparently, he was a great improviser. He sort of made up the words and the music practically on the spot,” explains David Fallis, artistic director of the Toronto Consort.

Still, while Da Vinci created music, he didn’t write it down, meaning that none of his contributions have remained.

“We know there’s a number of references to him playing, how beautifully he sang, and how brilliant he was at improvising this stuff. People couldn’t believe he was just pulling it out of his head, because he would improvise in rhyme—a bit like a rap musician, I guess. You know, people going and you’re pretty impressed with what they can do with rhyming and still make sense,” Fallis laughs.

The Toronto Consort’s upcoming concert will feature the music of Da Vinci’s lifetime. Combining music and spoken word, the concert is organized around the big events of Leonardo’s life. The words will tell the story of this Renaissance man’s life.

While Da Vinci would likely have heard some of the pieces that the Toronto Consort will perform, modern audiences are less likely to recognize the tunes and the composers, observes Fallis, adding that Renaissance music isn’t as well-known today. Some of the instruments, on the other hand, might look familiar—there’s a recorder and a harpsichord, for instance. Then there’s also a lute and a hurdy-gurdy, which are probably a bit less common around these parts.

The lira, Da Vinci’s musical weapon of choice, won’t be making an appearance, as it’s something that really isn’t played anymore, so musicians would have a lot of trouble tracking one down. Still, by seeing and hearing the hurdy-gurdy, people will get to experience the same instrument that once caught Da Vinci’s inquisitive eye and stirred the inventor within.

“Da Vinci himself was quite intrigued by the hurdy-gurdy, and he did designs for one. Because he was a musician, he was interested in musical instruments.”


Sat, Jan 16 (8 pm)
Toronto Consort
The Da Vinci Codex
Convocation Hall, University of Alberta, $10 – $30

 

 

 

 


Upcoming Classical Events:


Thu, Jan 14 (8 pm)
Edmonton Symphony Orchestra
Violinissimo!
Winspear Centre, $20 – $69
A show of “party pieces.”


Sun, Jan 17 (2 pm)
Edmonton Symphony Orchestra
European Inspirations
Winspear Centre, $20 – $65


Mon, Jan 18 (12 pm)
Organists at the U of A’s Music Department
Convocation Hall, U of A, free


Tue, Jan 19 (4:30 pm)
Enterprise String Quartet
Main Floor Atrium, Enterprise Square, free


Wed, Jan 20 (12:10 pm)
Chanticleer
Banquet Hall, McDougall United Church, free
A performance of voice and early instruments
 

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