It is known that chromatic brass instruments were expected to play the Contratenor part (J. Tinctoris 1487). The practical approach of playing 3 part fifthteen century music with the instrumentation suggested by Tinctoris raises questions regarding instrumentation, voicing and transposition.

Performing directly from the sources is essential to suggest realistic and practical answers to these questions. By combining the analysis of sources, the historical context and performance from original notation, we aim to generate new insights into the fifteenth-century performance practice on early brass instruments: slide trumpet and renaissance sackbut.

Links

Digital Image Archive of Medieval Music website

Early Music Theory: Johannes Tinctures