The View From My Dulcimer

Yes, I am indeed that geeky

You’re welcome.

Me: it’s bad poetry set to mediocre music. The Battle Hymn Of The Republic is a much better song

“Rengineering” is an industry term for sketchy construction practices found on renaissance festival sites, and I’m delighted to see that it’s period!

 I am deeply amused that the architectural symbol of “the renaissance“ is a Gothic cathedral with a 19C façade 

Her: it begins!

This is an upcoming project, from the Capirola lute book. Compiled in 1520, it's a rare case of a surviving music manuscript. Most of our sixteenth century music comes from published sources, when one or two copies might survive from a run of 500-1000. This is the only copy of this source, and it survives because Capirola's student, Vitale, purposefully had it illuminated so that it would be kept as an object of art and not discarded by successive owners. I have a certain affinity with the composer, Vincenzo Capirola. I accidentally duplicated his biography when I came up with my SCA persona, the story I inhabit when I attend medieval events sponsored by the Society for Creative Anachronism. That story involves a minor nobleman named Vincenzo from the northern-Italian city of Brescia who spent time in the court of King Henry VIII, and while I go by the name of Vincenzo da Brescia so, too, could Capirola have done (the other bits of my persona name are less coincidental and are an homage to my immigrant forebears). The piece itself jumps out at me because it looks to be readily adaptable to dulcimer. My biggest weakness is that I have three octaves and two hands, but this piece is a fairly straightforward melody with only a slight second musical voicing. I think it will be a lot of fun to play, and I look forward to bringing it to life!

I turned forty in the ruins of Machu Picchu! It'll take me awhile to sort out the pics, but enjoy the overview :-) The day started chilly and wet, but despite thunderstorms in the forecast mellowed into a beautiful sunny day. I took a train that is rated one of the top ten train rides in the world (Condé Nast), and was possibly the most luxurious travel experience of my life. Many thanks to my parents whose generous gift made the day so magical!