What type of music at renaissance festivals?

Question

I really want to figure out the title of the genre of the music you would hear at a renaissance festival. I love it so much. It's the old stuff, ya know? Thanks!

Answer 1

Renaissance music (not "medieval") . The Renaissance literally means "re-birth" - it was the period AFTER the dark ages (the medieval period) in Europe when music, arts, etc. started to come back to life after a very bleak and long period of time when the "arts" were suppressed. Renaissance music has simple bowed instruments (pre-violin/'cello), lute (pre-cursor of the guitar) , lyres (simple harp-instruments) and recorder flutes. In that time musicians did a lot of wandering around from town to town so the instruments were quite portable. Mechanical instruments like keyboards (harpsichord/piano) had not yet been invented (or perfected) . Harmony was quite simple and music was organized into short songs. (vs. a 40 minute symphony - that came much later) John Dowland was a popular singer/songwriter of the time.



So that's typically what you'll hear at a Renaissance festival



In rough timeline starting with the earliest - here is the "timeline" of music and a few of the composers/instruments that came about in each period.



Medieval (Monks, Gregorian chants, etc.)

Renaissance (Lutes, Recorders, John Dowland)

Baroque (Bach, Scarlatti - harpsichord, chamber orchestras)

Classical ( Mozart, Beethovan - Piano, Symphonies)

Romantic (Debussy, Chopin, etc.)

Answer 2

In the renaissance festival you will enjoy medieval and renaissance music their. But in some faires you may find plenty of lutes, flute type instruments, horns, weird looking instruments and even some bagpipes but no violins.

Answer 3

The flute like factor is known as a recorder (really) they arrive in 6 sizes (sopranino, soprano, alto, tenor, bass, and exceptional bass) a Renaissance crew is referred to as a "Consort" there are assortment of exclusive instruments that may go along with them viols, sackbutt, krumhorns, and somewhat percussion part when you use phrases like renaissance and consort for your search you'll find what you want

Answer 4

Fist of all, visit http://www.renfair.com - the official site of the New York Renaissance Fair.



Secondly, visit this the NYRenaissanceFaire's channel on youtube - http://www.youtube.com/user/NYRenaissanceFaire?feature=watch and search for NYRF in the search bar for more.



And below are some examples of musical groups, bands and setera...



The Brigands



The Brigands be a musical minded group performing songs, Sea Shanties, tunes, lore and fact from the Golden Age of Piracy, 1650-1750, and beyond.



Crimson Pirates



Queen Elizabeth knows that she can depend upon her pirate friends to lift her spirits with rousing renditions of salty sea tunes.



Cu Dubh



The sounds of ancient thundering war drums and skirling dual bagpipe like you’ve never heard before. Tribal warrior music at its best, Viking. Pagan. Celt. Raider. Lover. Fighter. Music for the warrior in all of us.



The Crown Madrigals



Robin Flanagan, Dir. Queen Elizabeth and members of her Court raise their voices with villagers from Sterling in melodious madrigals from France, Spain, Italy, Germany and of course, England.



Eddie Jeff Cahill



Songs, stories and tall tales tumble from his lips like barrels over a waterfall, shattering rings & staves on the water. A True Wandering Minstrel!



Henry Martin



Christopher Liedenfrost-Wilson. A singer, guitarist, accordionist who will delight you with Maritime Favorites and Celtic Traditionals. Also performing with Crimson Pirates.



Kathleen Finnegan



Beautiful and gentle harp music that will enthrall and delight. Kathleen Finnegan brings her beautiful harp and music out to the people for everyone to experience.



Lady Rose



Juliet Tripp. Mysteriously frozen until activated, she moves in a delicate mechanical manner whilst gracing the audience with a personal serenade.



Larksong



Enjoy the sounds of Larksong for this exclusive engagement! Baltimore-based madrigal group has performed at the Maryland Renaissance Festival, the Folger Shakespeare Library, the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company, and the National Museum for Women in the Arts. Larksong has released five CDs – three of Renaissance madrigals and two CDs with holiday songs ranging from early Renaissance to modern carols.



Rascals & Rogues



A parcel of rogues combining their own brand of musical flair to a celtic and faire standards repertoire. “A little R&R never hurt anyone!”



Sarah Marie Mullen



Sarah Marie Mullen combines the traditional music of the Celtic harp with original compositions and tunes from around the world. She delights audiences with her high-energy arrangements and her playful performances which often blend music and storytelling.



Wolgemut



Internationally renowned musical group, Wolgemut (vol-guh-moot); an ancient Germanic word which simply means, “to be in a good mood”. Historical music played on ancient German bagpipes and drums fused with a generous amount of “wolgemutness” turns every performance into a high powered event; a Renaissance Rock Concert!

Answer 5

Medieval music

Answer 6

calin

Answer 7

Folk music, midieval music.