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The Living Music of the Middle Ages

Medieval music invites listeners into a dynamic world where contrasts coexist and intertwine in a rich tapestry of sound and meaning. At its heart, this programme reflects on the elaborate beauty of medieval music, revealing its ability to evoke something deeply human while embracing elements of playfulness and complexity.

Improvisation, a cornerstone of medieval music-making, is key to this programme. Recent scholarship and performances have revived historical improvisation practices, showcasing the dynamic, ever-evolving nature of this music. This continuity forms the fabric of medieval sound, linking us to a time when music was not merely written but lived, felt, and created in the moment.

The interplay of intricacy and playfulness is a hallmark of medieval creativity, visible not only in its music but also in its art. The Book of Kells, for example, offers a vivid illustration of this contrast: its detailed illuminations surround the central figures of the Madonna and Child, with the Child rendered with two left feet. This juxtaposition of elaborate design and the unrefined, innocent depiction of the Child highlights how something both intricate and deceptively simple can coexist.

Instruments like the transverse flute, frestel, and pipe and tabor bring a unique voice to this programme, threading a connection between the living soundscapes of the medieval world and our own. Each instrument’s tone, texture, and function reflect a time when sacred and mundane elements were tightly interwoven, creating music that was as engaging as the culture that inspired it. The flute, in particular, evokes the richness of medieval music’s contrasts and its ability to create an immersive listening experience.

Ultimately, The Unbroken Thread celebrates the paradoxes of medieval life: where sacred and profane, deep and light, profound and playful were woven together in unexpected harmony. This programme invites listeners into a world as dynamic and vivid as the illuminations of medieval manuscripts - quirky, human, and utterly compelling. By embracing these contrasts, The Unbroken Thread connects us to the timeless human essence at the heart of medieval music.