The Medieval and Renaissance Ensemble of Queen Margaret University, Cantigas perform music from the 13th century through to the Renaissance period. Voices, harp, lute, recorder, organ, wooden flutes and percussion. It helps if you have what is called a 'period' instrument, but it is not essential. There are many inexpensive folk-type instruments available from Middle-Eastern/Asian stores such as Hilary's Bazaar in Edinburgh which can give a good approximation of the sound imagined from the depiction of instruments found in the Cantigas de Santa Maria.
So far we have performed songs by women composers of the French medieval period, concerning arranged marriages, love and spiritual issues, and songs from the Cantigas de Santa Maria from medieval Spain. The group has surprised everyone, including the performers themselves, challenging our preconceptions of medieval and Renaissance music.
Open to all levels of player. We try to use period instruments, but modern instruments also welcome. Singers very welcome.
Here are three mp3 files from our very first concert, March 2006:
Sancta Maria
Rosa das Rosas
Entre Ave y Maria
And here are some images of musicians depicted in the manuscript of the Cantigas de Santa Maria, 13th-century Spain:
