If the Reformation in Scotland had been a movie, the music from the Wode Psalter part-books would most probably be the film score. Begun in 1562, at the request of Lord James Stewart, and compiled by former monk-turned-reader, Thomas Wode, the creation of the Psalter was a musical labour of love that lasted until Wode's death in 1592. There are 8 copies of these all told: 5 held at Edinburgh Uni in the Special Collections, 1 in the British Library, 1 at Trinity College Dublin, and the other at Georgetown University in Washington D.C. This year, they are all coming together again to form part of a major exhibition at the Main Library of Edinburgh University. Reporting Scotland did a feature on Thursday in which Professor Jane Dawson observes that the notations used by Wode in the Psalter are the equivalent of 16th century tweets.... They certainly provide us with an insight on the man who gathered together 106 psalms, the Lord's Prayer, the Ten Commandments, Latin motets and other 'bits and pieces', and while doing so, beautifully illustrated them. The exhibition is free and a list of opening times are copied below - if you're around Edinburgh, come and see, and let your friends know! August 6-31 (Festival Fringe):
Monday-Friday 10:00-17:00
Saturday 10:00-17:00 Closed Sunday.
September-October:
Monday-Friday 10:00-17:00
Closed Saturday and Sunday.
If you'd like to hear what it all sounded like, there'll be a concert later in August. Details to follow!
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