Lecturer in Music Harrison Russin is the latest scholar to be featured in the Seminary’s Monthly Seminar series. On Tuesday, April 9, 2019, Russin presented his findings on "Monophonic Credos and their Cultural Background in the Late Medieval Period (1300–1500)."
“The paper drew from my dissertation research, which is on the Credo in music in late medieval and early renaissance Italy and France,” said Russin, who is a Ph.D. candidate at Duke University. “For about 500 years there was only one chant setting of the Credo for the mass; between 1300 and 1500, over 60 new melodies were composed, and most scholars still admit they do not know why.”
“I presented numerous examples from literature, theology, canon law, and artwork showing that the status of the Credo changed from a cultural and religious perspective, beginning with theological ideas in the 12th century. I then demonstrated how one of the most popular of those new melodies works on a musical level.”
A lively, stimulating, and engaging discussion followed Russin’s presentation.
The Seminary’s Monthly Seminar series is meant to operate as a kind of academic laboratory for scholars, allowing each month’s presenter to share their latest findings to their peers, engage in discussion, and receive feedback.
Russin is an alumnus of St. Vladimir’s Seminary, graduating with an M.Div. in 2013. He also holds a B.A. in Music from Swarthmore College and an M.A. in Musicology from Duke University.
