Today on Micrologus, we're going to be exploring the music of the Ars Subtilior (the more subtle style). This was a school of composers which flourished in southern France and northern Italy in the latter part of the 14th century and the early part of the 15th century. The comparative aspect of the term Ars Subtilior harks back to the Ars Nova style, the style heralded by Philippe de Vitry in the early 14th century, and exemplified by the music of Guillaume de Machaut, whose works we explored some months ago on Micrologus. This school of composers is also sometimes referred to as the “late 14th century avant garde” because of the experimental nature of their compositions. And also sometimes as the Mannerist School. Mannerism is a term which is applied when it seems that the composers of a particular style apply as much emphasis to the process as they do to the piece itself. In view of that, I've asked a composer to join me on the show today. Eugene O'Brien. He's a composer, teacher and performer, winner of the Prix de Rome of the American Academy, newly appointed head of the composition department at the Cleveland Institute of Music, and Director of Reconnaissance, an Ensemble for New Music based here in Cleveland.
