A Joyful Concert with Brocelïande on Dec 6th!
(Click the title above for details about the December 6th concert and to buy tickets!)
At our December 6th concert you’ll have the chance to see and hear some unusual instruments such as the Nyckelharpa and Hardanger cello d’Amore.
According to Wikipedia a “Nyckelharpa is a “keyed” bowed chordophone, primarily originating from Sweden in its modern form, but with its historical roots scattered across medieval Europe. It is similar in appearance to a fiddle or violin but larger (in its earlier forms essentially a modified vielle), which employs key-actuated tangents along the neck to change the pitch during play, much like a hurdy-gurdy.”
Recently, the Nyckelharpa has become an instrument available for study at the Royal College of Music Stockholm Folk Music Department. Groups such as Brocelïande, Väsen and Hedningarna incorporate it into their music. Check out these videos for samples of this interesting instrument: Väsen: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert, Nyckelharpa (16 strings, 39 keys)and Nyckelharpa Ensemble – Full Concert.
A Hardanger instrument combines played strings and sympathetic resonating strings (which vibrate in response to the played strings) to provide a rich, complex and resonant tone. Typically, one finds in folk music a Hardanger Fiddle. However, a new instrument has been developed that combines the Hardanger Fiddle with a Baroque viola d’amore. It features five played strings and five sympathetic resonate strings. Fred Carlson Creative Luthier developed this new instrument for Kris Yenney of Brocelïande.
Brocelïande specialize in seasonal fare, honoring the elements of Nature and celebrating the human experience, and their delight is to uplift their audiences and provide a sonic sanctuary for a time.
Listen to Make We Merry and enjoy lush harmonies and beautiful instrumentals. This album showcases the range of music, languages, and instruments they bring to their performances.
Sample Sir Christèmas, a festive collection of traditional music for the winter holidays. You’ll find many favorites such as Gaudete, Abbots Bromley Horn Dance, and Carol of the Birds. Or find a new favorite like Entre le Boeuf/Noel Nouvelet. All sung with their exquisite harmonies backed by a variety of instrumentals that evoke the season and the time-periods.
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