Music of the Middle Ages, 400 to 1500

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 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 vielle, crumhorn, cornemuse, oud, finger cymbals, psaltery and the rare wishbone-shaped double recorder.