Suitable for recorders, strings, brass and reed instruments. One keyboard continuo player would also be welcome. Pitch: A=440
Johann Hermann Schein (1586-1630) was Thomaskantor in Leipzig from 1615 to 1630, the post later held by J S Bach. He was one of the first composers to import the early Italian stylistic innovations into German music. Unlike his friend Heinrich Schütz, he did not live a long or happy life. His wife died in childbirth; four of his five children died in infancy and he died in Leipzig at the age of 44, having suffered from tuberculosis, gout, scurvy, and a kidney disorder.
Schein wrote sacred and secular music in approximately equal quantities, mainly vocal. However, today he is perhaps best known for his collection of instrumental suites called Banchetto Musicale (Musical Banquet), published in 1617. The twenty suites each share the same format: Padouana, Gagliarda, and Courente, all in five parts, followed by an Allemande and Tripla in four parts.
Schein does not specify the instrumentation, and although he does say in the preface that he prefers to have viols included, the style hints at early violin writing, and is also reminiscent of the wind music of people like Bassano. Schein also says that in his next published work he will begin providing a written part for a keyboard, so it might be appropriate to use continuo in the Banchetto Musicale.
Alison Kinder is a viol player with Chelys Consort of Viols and the Linarol Consort. She particularly enjoys working with viols and voices, and is the viol player in the female polyphonic group Musica Secreta, directed by Laurie Stras who ran a workshop for MEMF last year. Alison also enjoys a close exploration of the connection between music and dance with lutenist Lynda Sayce and two baroque dancers in Apollo’s Revels. More recently Alison has been playing with Sounds Historical, presenting innovative programmes around the Midlands, and is a co-founder of Banbury Early Music Festival. Alison runs the Rondo Viol Academy with colleague Jacqui Robertson-Wade, and regularly leads Forum workshops as well as teaching on various Early Music courses and summer schools. Occasionally she is allowed out of the viol playing department and onto recorders and baroque violin!
Timetable for the Day
10 am: Registration and drinks
10.30am; Morning Session with a short break
1 pm: Lunch (bring your own or use pubs and cafés nearby)
2pm: Afternoon session
3.30 approx Tea
4.00: Final session
5.00: Finish.
Closing date for applications is Thursday 10th July 2025
Fees are £20 for members of MEMF and other EMFs,
£25 for non-members and free for students.
Click on the ticket link to be taken to the booking form
Also check out other Music events in Solihull, Entertainment events in Solihull, Workshops in Solihull.
