Edinburgh Renaissance Band’s Musical Migrants: shawm to serpent, cornett to crumhorn, rebec to recorder, this is the music of travelling composers and performers in Mediaeval and Renaissance Europe, brought to life by a dozen players and singers with period instruments of every imaginable kind.
Longest-running and pioneers, Edinburgh Renaissance Band has been delighting Fringe audiences since 1973 – not a year missed – with almost the same personnel, but a new programme for every Festival. We were also, we believe, the first group to present late-night shows, at an outrageous 10.30pm.
Between Festivals, we have performed in most parts of Scotland, elsewhere in the UK, and in France, Italy, Germany, Sweden and the Czech Republic.
A theme for our time.
Given current political events on both sides of the Atlantic, our Musical Migrants theme this year was irresistible. Throughout medieval and renaissance times, distinguished musicians – migrants – travelled or were head-hunted to courts, churches and palaces all over Europe, where they were welcomed for the prestige they brought to their new employers.
The huge variety of instruments.
Between us, we play instruments from every family: cornetts, sackbuts, (and a serpent has been sighted), viols, violins, rebecs, shawms, crumhorns, curtals, racketts, recorders, gemshorns, varied percussion (as far as we know, the only Nepalese nakers ever to appear on the Fringe.)
Family-friendly music.
Musical Migrants isn’t like most classical music concerts. Our audiences love director Murray Campbell’s good-humoured presentation – interesting, funny, and full of information. During intervals and after the show, the musicians are always around and happy to chat about music and instruments. For children and young people of all ages, this is the perfect introduction to early music.
The Band is also presenting an Early Dance Workshop in new St Cecilia’s Hall
Edinburgh Renaissance Band – Passion and Manners
This workshop is suitable for anyone looking for a fun afternoon of unfamiliar dances, while still providing challenges for experienced dancers. Led by early dance specialist Robin Benie (Regency Waltz, BBC4 with Lucy Worsley) and joined by Edinburgh Renaissance Band plus Polyhymnia dancers in costume. Based on published Italian 16th century choreographies (see where film and TV get it wrong) and guides to manners, e.g., how to behave if a princess should gatecrash your party. This is for everyone interested in the music, dance, theatre or history of the period.
Performance details.
Edinburgh Renaissance Band’s Musical Migrants
artSpace@St Marks (St Mark’s Unitarian Church, Castle Terrace, Edinburgh)
(Venue 125)
Wednesday 16th August, 16:30-17:30 and 20:30-21:30
Thursday 17th August, 16:30-17:30
Friday 18th August, 16:30-17:30
Ticket Prices £10, (Concessions £8) (Under 18s free of charge)
Edinburgh Renaissance Band: Passion and Manners
16th Century Dance Workshop led by Robin Benie
St Cecilia’s Hall, Niddry Street, Edinburgh (Venue 77)
Sunday 20th August, 13:00-17:00
Ticket Prices £25, (Concessions £20) (Under 18s free of charge)
