From the delicate notes of a harp, a song, or a poem performed in an intimate chamber of a late-medieval palace in France, to the solemn sounds of chant and the grandeur of polyphony heard during the daily services in the chapel and the oratory, the connection between musical styles and architectural spaces is intriguing. The VALSOUNDS project digs deep into the past, conducting a case study designed to explore the acoustic and sonic qualities of the diverse types of sounds and music heard in the palaces of the early Valois dynasty, ca. 1400. This period was a pivotal moment in both European music history and the history of palace architecture.
VALSOUND’s mission is to bridge the gap between the past and the present by bringing to life the sounds of a long-forgotten era and making them accessible to heritage sites and the general public through digital tools. By digitally mapping the acoustic properties of now-forgotten architectural sites, and taking into account well-documented but now lost features like bois d’Illande wall paneling, we are creating a unique data set that will not only enhance our understanding of the interaction between music and architectural history but also elevate the visibility of heritage sites by providing them with the option to offer their public historically informed recreations of the sounds that once filled their spaces.
Data from acoustic measurements, and research in architectural history and historical musicology are combined with sound samples provided by early-music performers from the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis/FHNW. The result? Site-specific digital reconstructions that allow you to step into the soundscapes of Valois palaces. With this information, we aim to craft a new digital format, the auditorial, which will significantly enhance how we experience audio content. Think of it as a captivating blend of images, text, and sound that immerses you in the rich history of the Valois period.
Through the consolidation of MALMECC findings, we explore the sound/space/music connection, fostering collaboration between academics, early-music performers, heritage sites, and digital design companies. Ultimately, we plan to create a replicable model for future exploration, changing the way we interact with the sounds of history.