«I Did it My Way»: Emotion in the Performance of Medieval Melodies

The Early Music performer is always confronted with the need to create a satisfactory experience for modern ears that can do justice to a historically remote artefact represented by musical notation. The stage reinstates life, even when its ultimate model lies far in the past. This generates concern regarding the right balance between practical feasibility, historical accuracy, and public appreciation. This essay argues that emotional power and flawless voices provide an important bridge between the medieval and the contemporary reception of Early Music. It addresses some editorial and performative problems that arise when liturgical chant is removed from its context. Grounded in professional experience, it offers some tools for intensified communication, in order to foster the goal of emotional involvement in the performance of medieval music.