“The Quodlibet” – AEC’s online and open forum for dialogue on all matters of Early Music
2026 AEC’s online discussions on Historically Informed Performance Practice and Early Music
May 21, 2026, 14:00-15:30 CET
Beyond Europe
Early Music Dissemination and Education in Asia and the Pacific
Organized by Schola Cantorum Basiliensis, Basel
Our global network is ever expanding. Specialized training and performance in historical practice is no longer a strictly European affair: institutions of higher education outside of Europe now commonly offer degrees in historical musical practice, and new festivals and concert formats pop up annually, offering new perspectives and opportunities for informed performance across the globe.
The Beyond Europe series seeks to explore musical connections between diverse regions, whether forged over the course of many generations, or as new and fresh opportunities for mutual inspiration and enrichment. We hope to facilitate exchange, foster discussion and promote collaboration in early music education and performance on a global scale.
The focus of this first Quodlibet of 2026 is Asia and the Pacific, where the presence of Jesuit missions in the age of exploration, discovery and colonialism was especially influential in music of the 16th and 17th centuries. For the session’s spotlights on Taiwan and the Philippines, our guests will be David Mesquita (Basel) and Lambert Colson (Geneva), who will speak about Spanish music and its influence in the Philippines; Yun Han Su (Taipei National University of the Arts), who will address historical performance practice of endemic regional traditions, including those of the late Ming dynasty silk-string pipa; and Martin Chiang and Shio Oshita (Gleam Ensemble), who will discuss education, research and performance in Taiwan today. Their input will shed light onto the interplay between European and endemic local musical cultures, both ‘then’ and ‘now’, and open a discussion with all attendees of the session.
Introduction and Moderation by Kelly Landerkin (Basel).
Participation is free of charge, spread the word amoung students and teachers of your institution!
Zoom Link: https://fhnw.zoom.us/j/2786021513?pwd=N1dhK2U1cWZMZm1naW11UktWMVNXdz09
What is The Quodlibet?
The Quodlibet is the AEC’s online and open forum for dialogue on all matters of Early Music and HIP. All members of the Early Music community – students, teachers, administrators and artists – are welcome to participate, and are encouraged to share their views on the chances and challenges experienced in our field today. Everyone’s voice shall be heard!
The first edition of the Quodlibet was launched in 2020/21, during the pandemic with 3 meetings with Peter Van Heyghen, Barthold Kuijken and Paul Agnew.
The second edition was launched in Autumn 2022 with a session about the current state of Early Music Departments in Europe a second one about Music as Storytelling and a third one entitled Early Music Pedagogy: Teaching and Learning Today with the Tools of the Past. Have you missed these sessions? All recordings are available online on the AEC website!
The 2023 Quodlibet online event series explored the evolving landscape of Early Music (EM) by addressing technological influences, global expansion, and audience engagement. The series opened in March with a critique of how the digital age and ubiquitous recordings—termed “Grammophonically Informed Performance”—impact artistic creativity and the tradition of studying scores in isolation. In April, the focus shifted to a global perspective, examining the growth of Historically Informed Performance (HIP) pedagogy in Chile, Mexico, and Argentina, and how these regions navigate their shared heritage with Europe while fostering independent academic programs. Finally, the May session, held in partnership with REMA, addressed the future sustainability of the field by discussing audience development, seeking to bridge the gap between performer expectations and listener experiences. Collectively, these sessions highlighted a field in transition, balancing historical rigor with the modern realities of globalization and digital consumption.
AEC’s Early Music Platform Task Force
- Isaac Alonso de Molina – Chair (The Hague)
- Kelly Landerkin (Basel)
- Anton Steck (Trossingen)
- Claire Michon (Poitiers)
- Sara Primiterra – Coordinator (AEC office)
We kindly ask you to spread the news among all colleagues and students in your institution interested in the topic.
See you at the REMA Early Music Summit 2026 in Ghent and Brugges on 24-27 November 2026!
Video Recordings
Have you missed theQuodlibets 2023? Watch the recordings!
Have you missed the three Quodlibets 2022? Watch the recordings of the fora hosted by the AEC Early Music Task force on the current status of Early Music departments in Europe. on Storytelling! See you in March for the Quodlibet serie 2023!
