Gavin Bryars

Laude Cortonese Vol. 2

This collection of laude has its origins in the world of early music, being based in spirit and feeling on the unaccompanied 'laude' found in a collection from 13th century Cortona. The people who originally sang such things - the 'laudesi' banded together in confraternities but were not usually associated with any particular church and this music was not part of any liturgy.

I have endeavoured to stay true to the spirit of the original laude, which I treat with great respect. I conform, for example, as far as possible to the number of notes to a syllable that are found in the original and frequently quote or parody elements from the melodic contours and even individual phrases. All the pieces are written very quickly - seldom taking more than a couple of hours.

Gavin Bryars