Come with us on a musical journey through time starting in 5th century Armenia after the fall of the Roman Empire. The songs from this time are one line, evoking the sounds of Byzantium and Gregorian chant. Moving through the centuries of the Middle Ages, music grows and evolves into two-part music around 900, three-part music in the 1200s, and four or more parts by the 1400s.

Instruments also changed through the centuries, with the ancient oud (early lute) becoming more sophisticated, with extra strings; simple bowed instruments with 1-3 strings evolving into the rebec and 5-stringed vielle (early violin); the development of a range of recorders in over 7 sizes; as well as early reed instruments such as crumhorns and cornemuses (early oboe).

Magpie will present music from across the centuries, introducing many of these early instruments including rebec, harp, psaltery, crumhorn, cornemuse, oud and finger cymbals. Using these wonderful instruments and our voices, we’ll explore works including:

· music by four saints and two kings

· two works by 5th-century composer Mashtots, some of the oldest written music to survive

· the earliest surviving music by a woman composer (9th century)

· the earliest known song in English (by St Godric, c1150),

· the earliest known secular song in English (Mirie it is, c1223)

· troubadour songs from Medieval France, including the only surviving piece by a troubaritz (female troubadour).

· pilgrim music from the Camino de Santiago de Compostela (Spain)

· music from the monasteries of Montpelier and Montserrat

· a joyful carol in Middle English from Musica Britannica.

Don't miss a rare chance to hear ancient music in the Southern Vales!

Contact the host of Music of the Middle Ages (400-1500) - Southern Vales tour!