Norm's Favorite tracks on Alonetone

by Norm

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2:13

Coventry Carol

Uploaded June 23, 2011 6:06pm.

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This is a traditional piece that dates back to at least the 16th century. Since the version I have is instrumental I used what is called Pythagorean Tuning and period instruments to render it. (alto recorder, bells (crotales), fiddle, and bodhran)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pythagorean_tuning

Apparently this is a rather famous piece - according to wikipedia

“The “Coventry Carol” is a Christmas carol dating from the 16th century. The carol was performed in Coventry in England as part of a mystery play called The Pageant of the Shearmen and Tailors. The play depicts the Christmas story from chapter two in the Gospel of Matthew. The carol refers to the Massacre of the Innocents, in which Herod orders all male infants under the age of two in Bethlehem to be killed.”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coventry_Carol

At the wikipedia there is a nice a cappella version - and that would likely be in adaptive Just Intonation as singers tend towards pure intervals when singing without instruments. (I can’t say 100% sure because I don’t have that good of pitch discrimination - I’d have to hear a side by side comparison.)

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