Conference / Past Forward: Reimagining Early Music through the Digital Medium

On 12 and 13 December, the Alamire Foundation, in partnership with the The Royal Conservatoire of The Hague, Cappella Pratensis, Ramillete de Tonos, and the Janáček Academy of Performing Arts, will host the conference Past Forward: Reimagining Early Music through the Digital Medium in The Hague.

The digitization of early music sources is reshaping how scholars, performers, and teachers engage with the rich heritage of medieval and Renaissance music. This conference invites participants to explore the many challenges and exciting opportunities that arise as digital technologies transform access to and understanding of historical musical materials.

At the heart of this transformation is the development of innovative digital tools and methodologies that allow researchers and performers to interact with early (musical) sources in new and dynamic ways. These advancements not only facilitate research but also open up fresh avenues for historically informed performance practices. Beyond these technical developments, integrating digital sources into the classroom offers teachers powerful means to bring historical contexts to life and to deepen students’ engagement with early music traditions. However, the process of digitization also raises important ethical questions, particularly around issues of copyright, accessibility, and the responsibilities involved in sharing and preserving cultural heritage in digital form. Addressing these concerns is essential to ensure that digitization benefits a broad and diverse audience while respecting legal and moral frameworks. Moreover, the conference will encourage reflection on how the very act of digitizing early music reshapes our philosophical understanding of these traditions.

The ways we access, interpret, and perform early music are fundamentally influenced by digital mediation, prompting us to reconsider how technology impacts our connection to musical cultures of the past. Through thoughtful case studies, innovative projects, and critical discussions, this conference aims to highlight the transformative potential of digitization for the field.

A detailed overview of the conference program and activities is available on our website. The deadline for registration is 7 december 2025.

Picture: © Brno - Archiv města Brna - fond V 2 Svatojakubská knihovna, ms. 15/4 / Alamire Digital Lab