The opportunity to experience Medieval music of the 8th
to 11th centuries is rare because few can accurately reconstruct
this music that was seldom written down. Sequentia is an ensemble committed to researching
and performing the ancient sounds of this Medieval period. They were recently brought to Pittsburgh as
part of the Chatham Baroque & Renaissance Baroque series to preform "Words of Power:Charms, Riddles and Elegies of Medieval Northlands." This was a unique
night to experience the sounds and musical expression of an ancient world.
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| Show was preformed in the intimate new Pittsburgh Playhouse Theater |
Reflection
the members of Sequentia are not only musicians and vocalists, but
they are also scholars of Medieval history. Their show was a window into the Medieval
life in the north where pagans, recently Christianized, merged Christian
references with the pagan god, Odin, in their music, poems and spells.
The program was performed in Old English, Old High German and Old Icelandic languages with
subtitles. These ancient languages gave the performance authenticity. We were transported back to the early centuries of Iceland. The 90 minute show was divided
into four acts and each act contained:
an instrumental piece, a spoken Anglo-Saxon riddle, an Anglo-Saxon elegy and
charms and spells used to bless and heal ailments. It was like a historical variety
show.
This music was
mystical and memorizing. Sequentia opened with the soft melody of the flute
and with vocalists,
Hanna Marti and Stef Conner, facing each as if they were engaged in a high pitched vocal battle (Incantations
for Valkyries and a wounded battle-seed). The melodies often reminded me of the
opening music from the History Channel show, Vikings. The soprano vocals
contained unfamiliar patterns and rhythms that became less foreign by the show’s fourth act.
The instruments
(harps, wooden and bone flutes and percussion) produced relaxing soft and
sleepy melodies. The riddles with their double
entendre solutions added punches of humor. The elegies injected poetic lamentations and reflections of this ancient life and its struggles, battles, and
women- warriors. Ending each act with spells and charms reminded all that
these northern lands were entrenched in a history of practicing magic.
Sequentia brought their own artistic palette to
produce a colorful picture of Medieval music and life. It was a unique experience that transported the audience back to this ancient time through music, song, riddles and spells and
laughter.
(The Chatham Baroque & Renaissance Baroque brings unique period musical experiences to the
stage. For more information on upcoming concerts go here. )
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