The Caron Web Site - Introduction


Contents Introduction About the Composer Catalogue of Works Sources Caron's Masses Caron's Chansons Related compositions Sound files of works Acknowledgements Bibliography Links	Introduction This is a living website devoted to one of the pre-eminent composers of the 15th century. During his life, Caron was seemingly held in the highest esteem. His celebrated stature is evidenced by the fact that Johannes Tinctoris (probably the most influential music theorist during the second half of the 15th century) in the Prologue to his treatise, Liber de arte contrapuncti[1], listed Caron (as Firminus Caron) along side 5 other illustrious composers including Antoine Busnoys and Johannes Ockeghem. Caron’s application to the polyphonic mass, for example, was at the cutting edge of the newly emerging contrapuntal style. It is highly intricate, and clearly demonstrates the exactitude and precision of a skilled master of the first rank. His sacred essays show an architectural design beyond that of some of his contemporaries. At the end of his doctoral thesis, Thomson writes: We have not discovered, nor did we expect to discover, anything to change the general evaluation of Caron as a musical personality of secondary importance - the coin of his minting is silver, not gold[2]. In part, this site seeks to contribute to our understanding of Caron's works and thus advance current historiographic inquiry that is repositioning Caron as one of the leading figures in 15th-century musical development[3]. Integral to this endeavour is our production of downloadable sound files, in the first instance, of Caron’s 5 known polyphonic settings of the mass. In the case of the Missa Clemens et benigna we have included both known readings which transmit significant differences in modal signatures and other details. This site will gradually include sound files of the 21 extant chansons. The site also contains editions of Caron’s works which can be downloaded. In the first instance, two types of editions are included using diplomatic notation for the chansons and common practice notation for the masses. This site also seeks to promote further research into Caron, into his music and generate scholarly and performance-based debate throughout the international community interested in late medieval music and to promote and develop synergies with scholars and practioners from other disciplines such as those in the fields of music education at all levels and applied technologies. This site operates as an integrated linkage system whereby visitors can learn about Caron as well as download selected materials. Your commentary on our site is welcome and can be emailed to: reakins@metz.une.edu.au Rex Eakins Jason Stoessel Footnotes 1. Tinctoris, J. Liber de arte contrapuncti, ed. A. Seay, Corpus Scriptorum Musica, 22, vol. II, American Institute of Musicology, 1975, p. 12; Tinctoris, J. The Art of Counterpoint, trans. and ed. A. Seay, Musicological Studies and Documents, 5, American Institute of Musicology, 1961, p. 15. [Back] 2. Thomson, J. C. The Works of Caron, A Study in Fifteenth-Century Style, UMI Dissertation Information Services, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 1960, vol. I, p. 334. [Back] 3.see for example: Planchart, A. "The Origins and Early History of L'homme armé", The Journal of Musicology, vol. 20, no. 3, 2003, p. 353, n. 141; and Fallows, D. "Firminus Caron", The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, 2nd edition. ed. S. Sadie, Macmillan Publishers Limited, 2001, vol. 5, pp. 176-177 and The New Grove Dictionary Online, ed. L. Macy, http://www.grovemusic.com (access requires either personal or Institutional subscription). [Back]
	Created and maintained by: Rex Eakins and Jason Stoessel. Last revised: 3 May, 2007 © 2004-5 University of New England Armidale, NSW, 2351. All rights reserved.

Introduction

About the Composer

Catalogue of Works

Sources

Caron's Masses

Caron's Chansons

Related compositions

Sound files of works

Acknowledgements

Bibliography

Links

Introduction

This is a living website devoted to one of the pre-eminent composers of the 15th century.

During his life, Caron was seemingly held in the highest esteem. His celebrated stature is evidenced by the fact that Johannes Tinctoris (probably the most influential music theorist during the second half of the 15th century) in the Prologue to his treatise, Liber de arte contrapuncti[1], listed Caron (as Firminus Caron) along side 5 other illustrious composers including Antoine Busnoys and Johannes Ockeghem.

Caron’s application to the polyphonic mass, for example, was at the cutting edge of the newly emerging contrapuntal style. It is highly intricate, and clearly demonstrates the exactitude and precision of a skilled master of the first rank. His sacred essays show an architectural design beyond that of some of his contemporaries.

At the end of his doctoral thesis, Thomson writes:

We have not discovered, nor did we expect to discover, anything to change the general evaluation of Caron as a musical personality of secondary importance - the coin of his minting is silver, not gold[2].

In part, this site seeks to contribute to our understanding of Caron's works and thus advance current historiographic inquiry that is repositioning Caron as one of the leading figures in 15th-century musical development[3]. Integral to this endeavour is our production of downloadable sound files, in the first instance, of Caron’s 5 known polyphonic settings of the mass. In the case of the Missa Clemens et benigna we have included both known readings which transmit significant differences in modal signatures and other details. This site will gradually include sound files of the 21 extant chansons. The site also contains editions of Caron’s works which can be downloaded. In the first instance, two types of editions are included using diplomatic notation for the chansons and common practice notation for the masses.

This site also seeks to promote further research into Caron, into his music and generate scholarly and performance-based debate throughout the international community interested in late medieval music and to promote and develop synergies with scholars and practioners from other disciplines such as those in the fields of music education at all levels and applied technologies.

This site operates as an integrated linkage system whereby visitors can learn about Caron as well as download selected materials.

Your commentary on our site is welcome and can be emailed to:
reakins@metz.une.edu.au

Rex Eakins
Jason Stoessel

Footnotes

1. Tinctoris, J. Liber de arte contrapuncti, ed. A. Seay, Corpus Scriptorum Musica, 22, vol. II, American Institute of Musicology, 1975, p. 12; Tinctoris, J. The Art of Counterpoint, trans. and ed. A. Seay, Musicological Studies and Documents, 5, American Institute of Musicology, 1961, p. 15. [Back]
2. Thomson, J. C. The Works of Caron, A Study in Fifteenth-Century Style, UMI Dissertation Information Services, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 1960, vol. I, p. 334. [Back]
3.see for example: Planchart, A. "The Origins and Early History of L'homme armé", The Journal of Musicology, vol. 20, no. 3, 2003, p. 353, n. 141; and Fallows, D. "Firminus Caron", The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, 2nd edition. ed. S. Sadie, Macmillan Publishers Limited, 2001, vol. 5, pp. 176-177 and The New Grove Dictionary Online, ed. L. Macy, http://www.grovemusic.com (access requires either personal or Institutional subscription). [Back]

Contents

Introduction

Footnotes