Platinum Choral Workshop: The Renaissance Algorithm

“Computers and renaissance musicians have at least one thing in common: they can run simple algorithmic processes on fragments of music to create vastly more complex and nuanced musical compositions.” – Jaran Feeley.

In this modern age the ‘algorithm’ (an unambiguous set of rules which solves a problem) has a great presence in our lives, from sending a message on our mobile phones, to learning and reading music with midi files and tablet computers. In this workshop, we look at an ancient musical algorithm – the canon – which results in some of the most unexpectedly sublime works of the Renaissance period by Josquin, Mouton and Byrd. We will also create our own complex renaissance canon as we improvise on Tallis' motet If ye love me.