Edinburgh
Renaissance
Band
Web URL: http://www.edinburghrenaissanceband.net
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The Band
The Edinburgh Renaissance Band is a group of 12 Edinburgh-based
musicians specialising in the performance of music from the period 1200
- 1600. The Band has delighted audiences of all ages since its
formation in 1973, playing Renaissance and Medieval music from many
parts of Europe, including the important Scottish repertoire. The Band
is noted for the wide variety of instruments used - from a selection of
over 100.
Since its inception the Band's aim has been to present informative
and well researched programmes with a characteristic blend of
informality and musical authenticity - making "early music"
easily accessible.
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The Instruments of the Band
The sounds of the Band are many and varied ..... the sonority of the
sackbuts and cornetts, the clear, loud tones of
shawm and rauschpfeife, the sweetness of
recorders and gemshorns, the subterranean buzz of
rackets, the serenity of viols. All of these are
attractive in themselves. Add to them voices - soprano to bass - and
extensive percussion, then you have the phenomenon which is the
Edinburgh Renaissance Band.
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Repertoire
The Band's audiences are attracted again and again, not only by the
range and variety of its repertoire, ranging from monophonic medieval
dances to multi-choral Venetian canzonas, but also by the versatility of
its presentation: the Band is equally at home giving a late night
Festval Fringe show, a party of Christmas music and dance, a period ball
or a medieval banquet, or a concert.
The Edinburgh Renaissance Band also performs in conjunction with the
Edinburgh Early Dancers, when the vitality of the music is accompanied
by the splendour and colour of the dancers performing in period costume.
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The Edinburgh Renaissance Band offers:-
Concerts of early music
The Band organises its own series of concerts in Edinburgh each year.
Highlights are the Edinburgh Festival Fringe shows and the very popular
family Christmas concert. It has also played at early music festivals
both in the UK and abroad.
Performances for music societies
Specially devised programmes aimed at introducing audiences to the
instruments and repertoire of the Renaissance are available, and special
programmes can be provided to meet individual societies' requirements.
Music for corporate entertaining and conferences
The Band has extensive experience in providing music suitable for
receptions and banquets, including ceremonial fanfares as required.
Ensembles of any size can be provided, from two or three musicians up to
the full splendour of the complete Band.
Educational visits and lecture recitals
Generations of children have been introduced to the delights of early
music and the fascinating diversity of the instruments through the
Band's activities, including school visits and special concerts for
young people.
Collaboration with historical dancers
Audiences are always delighted to see the Edinburgh Early Dancers
perform some of the historical dances that are part of the Band's large
repertoire of early music. Dance workshops provide opportunities to
learn some of the dances and the Band has organised several highly
successful medieval balls.
The Band is available to play at most events requiring Early Music
and, through the Musical Director Professor Murray Campbell, will provide
programmes specially researched and tailored to a particular place or
period.
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For further information please contact the Secretary, Peter Jones, at
23 Queen's Crescent, Edinburgh EH9 2BB, U.K.
or e-mail
pjones@blueyonder.co.uk
