Todd Michel McComb <[log in to unmask]>:

>>I correct myself: instead of "anything" read "anybody".  I meant
>>authors (when their names are known) rather than works.
>
>It is true that most medieval music is anonymous.

I've heard that one of his descendants was also a theorist (the famous
Anonymous IV:-)

>However, since such a small percentage has been recorded, it is difficult
>to interpret a statement to the effect that most of it has been recorded
>in any valid way.

Evidently, I tend to overrate the interest and power of the discographic
market concerning ancient music.  However, I think that it's just a matter
of time:  eventually, everything will be recorded.  This is a fear rather
than a certitude:  I'm not sure whether that would be a desirable
situation.

>Even major composers such as Machaut, Landini, Josquin, etc.  have many
>unrecorded works.  This is hardly the case for composers of similar stature
>in later eras.

This may be due perhaps to the fact that many medieval/renaissance
recordings are presented under the shape of miscellanea, in which only a
few pieces per composer or source are represented.  After a while, those
pieces becomes always the same.  Many interpreters of med./ren.  music
tends to look for "exotic" (read:  "not-so-known") repertoires rather than
to perform a comprehensive recording of a particular mainstream composer or
source.

Pablo Massa
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