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PJ Harvey - Execution

An interest in music of the past has been characteristic of a part of the musical world since the early nineteenth century, from about the time of the rise of museums. The revival of Gregorian chant in the early nineteenth century, the Cecilian movement in later nineteenth century Germany seeking to immortalize Palestrina’s music as a sound ideal, Mendelssohn’s revival of Bach, these are some of the efforts made in the past to restore still earlier music.

In recent years this interest has taken on particular meaning, representing two specific trends, first, a rediscovery of little known and under appreciated repertories, and second, an effort to recover lost performing styles, in the conviction that such music will come to life anew using those performance practices. Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque music have been central to these ideas, and their repertories have taken on new sheen and attractiveness as a result.

Much was gained in the twentieth century from the study and revival of instruments, playing techniques, and repertories. What began as a movement akin to the arts and crafts movement took on political overtones in the 1960s, fueled by a sense of return to the natural, a rebellion against received wisdom and enforced conformity, and a notion that early music was a participant’s music as much as it was a listener’s. The enormous success of a few performers and groups has more recently tended to professionalize early music, and the amateur, participatory aspect has faded somewhat.

PJ Harvey - Execution
  • Released on: October 14 2022
  • Released on: Bad Sisters album
  • Genre: Soundtrack, Rock

"PJ Harvey has garnered eight Brit Award nominations, seven Grammy Award nominations and two further Mercury Prize nominations. Rolling Stone awarded her three accolades, 1992's Best New Artist and Best Singer Songwriter, and 1995's Artist of the Year."

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