Monday, December 9, 2013

fRoots Jan/Feb 2014 winter double issue cover featuring Blowzabella




This one has a major focus on the fRoots Critics’ Poll for Albums Of The Year and full details of the nominations in the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. Our cover feature is on that great Anglo-French dance institution Blowzabella…

Despatched to subscribers 10th December. Street date 19th Dec.
(facebook) fRoots Jan/Feb 2014 winter double issue

fRoots - the essential worldwide folk & roots music guide



Friday, December 6, 2013

Eine stalinistische Teufelei | A Stalinist devilry - The Murder of the Bandura and Hurdy-gurdy players



Eine stalinistische Teufelei

Der Mord an den Bandura- und Drehleierspielern

 A Stalinist devilry - The Murder of the Bandura and Hurdy-gurdy players



Was ist Totalitarismus? Totalitarismus ist, wenn niemand sicher ist. Auch kein Bandura- oder Drehleierspieler, nicht einmal ein blinder Bandura- oder Drehleierspieler. Dmitrij Schostakowitsch erinnert sich:


…national art was considered counterrevoluntionary. Why? Because it was, like any ancient art, religious, cultic. It it’s religious, then tear it out with its roots. I hope someone will write down the history of how our great native art was destroyed in the twenties and thirties. It was destroyed forever because it was oral. When they shoot a folk singer or a wandering storyteller, hundreds of great musical works die with him. Works that had never been written down. They die forever, irrevocably, because another singer represents others songs.
I am not a historian. I could tell many tragic tales and cite many examples, but I won’t do that. I will tell about one incident, only one. It’s a horrible story and every time I think of it I grow frightened and I don’t want to remember it. Since time immemorial, folk singers have wondered along the roads of Ukraine. They’re called “lirniki” and “banduristy” there. They were almost blind men—-why that is so is another question that I won’t go into, but briefly, it’s traditional. The point is, they were always blind and defenseless people, but no one ever touched or hurt them. Hurting a blind man—what could be lower?
And then in the mid thirties the First All-Ukrainian Congress of Lirniki and Banduristy was announced, and all the folk singers had to gather and discuss what to do in the future. ‘Life is better, life is merrier,’ Stalin has said. The blind men believed it. They came to the congress from all over Ukraine, from tiny, forgotten villages. There were several hundred of them at the congress, they say. It was a living museum, the country’s living history. All its songs, all its music and poetry. And they were almost all shot, almost all of those pathetic blind men killed.
Why was it done? Why the sadism — killing the blind? Just like that, so that they wouldn’t get underfoot. Mighty deeds were being done there, complete collectivization was under way, they had destroyed kulaks as a class, and here were these blind men, walking around singing songs of dubious content. The songs weren’t passed by the censors. And what kind of censorship can you have with blind men? You can’t hand a blind man a corrected and approved text and you can’t write him an order either. You have to tell everything to a blind man. That takes too long. And you can’t file away a piece of paper, and there’s no time anyway. Collectivization. Mechanization. It was easier to shoot them. And so they did.


Dmitrii Shostakovich, “Testimony: The Memoirs of Dimitri Shostakovich”, überliefert und herausgegeben von Solomon Volkov, übersetzt von Antonina W. Bouis,  New York 1979, S. 214-215. Nach http://www.artukraine.com/old/kobzars/kobzars01.htm. Vgl. auch Jan Ling, A History of European Folk Music, Rochester, N.Y., 1997, S. 86.

Eine stalinistische Teufelei | Dr. Karsten Dahlmanns





images via the facebook group Ukrainian Hurdy Gurdy - (Kolisna Lira)


UPDATE –


Поводир, the Guide - YouTube


see also (book) –

Ukrainian Minstrels: Why the Blind Should Sing: And the Blind Shall Sing (Folklores and Folk Cultures of Eastern Europe): Natalie O. Kononenko: 9780765601452: Amazon.com: Books





14 DECEMBER Finale: ‘Play of Herod’ bowing out after this season’s performances - The Georgia Bulletin



CONYERS—“The Play of Herod,” a 39-year tradition, is staging its grand finale performance at 7 p.m. on Dec. 14 at the Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Conyers.
The production, performed by Atlanta Camerata Theater, is among the earliest dramatic works in the Christian era. The manuscript for the play was compiled around 1200.
The drama is a unique telling of the Christmas story, with the shepherds and the Magi traveling to see the miraculous baby with the reaction at Herod’s court to news that a potential threat to Herod’s power has been born. This production combines two 12th-century manuscripts from the Benedictine monastery of St. Benoit-sur-Loire near Fleury. “The Play of Herod” is a liturgical music-drama, thought to be the earliest form of medieval drama.
The play is sung in Latin, with English translations projected above the action. A consort of violas, recorders, hurdy-gurdy, and percussion accompanies the singers. The performance is directed by Kelly Morris, with music direction by Kevin Culver.
For both cast and audience, the monastery’s Medieval Gothic church has been the perfect setting for this classical musical drama. The church and monastery is home to a Cistercian monastic tradition that dates to the Middle Ages.
After the concert, the audience is invited to join the cast and monks for the cookies and carols reception. Visitors are encouraged to visit the monastery gift store for unique Christmas gifts. The store will be open all afternoon and will remain open after the concert for last minute Christmas shopping.

‘Play of Herod’ bowing out after this season’s performances - The Georgia Bulletin





Thursday, December 5, 2013

18 januari - 22 maart: LE BONBOURNAIS - COR WESTBROEK | Stichting Draailier en Doedelzak


Le Bonbournais - Cor Westbroek


Een cursus van vier zaterdagen voor gevorderde spelers met draailier in D-G
-- A course of four Saturdays for advanced players with hurdy-gurdy in DG
Vanaf januari organiseert de stichting Draailier en Doedelzak als onderdeel van de zaterdagcursus een workshop D-G draailier.
-- From January , the foundation organizes Hurdy-gurdy and bagpipes as part of the course Saturday workshop DG hurdy-gurdy.

Muziek uit de Bourbonnais?
Het gaat in de workshop om draailiermuziek zoals die in centraal Frankrijk (Berry- Bourbonnais-Nivernais) gespeeld wordt. De muziek wordt meestal “bourbonnais” muziek genoemd en kenmerkt zich door de harmonie van de in octaven gestemde melodiesnaren tegenover de wat donkere bourdonklank van de D- bourdons. De trompetbegeleiding is meestal prominent aanwezig. Het is dan ook niet voor niets dat de D-G draailier vaak in de dansbegeleiding te horen is.
De workshop
In de workshop onderzoeken we wat dat specifieke D-G geluid is en op welke manier je dat geluid op je draailier kan voortbrengen. We verraden al dat het niet alleen een kwestie is van de juiste nootjes in de juiste volgorde spelen, maar dat het gaat om toonvorming, het samenspel van ornamentatie en hoofdmelodie. Daarbij spelen vingerzetting en vooral het ritmisch spelen van de melodie een belangrijke rol. Natuurlijk zal het trompetgebruik en trompetgeluid aan de orde komen.

-- google translate -- Music from the Bourbonnais ?It goes into the workshop to hurdy-gurdy music as played in central France ( Berry , Bourbonnais , Nivernais ) . The music is usually called " Bourbonnais " music is characterized by the harmony of the melody strings tuned in octaves across the darker tone of the D - drone drones . The trumpet accompaniment is usually prominent. It is not for nothing that the DG hurdy gurdy is often in the dance accompaniment to hear .
-- The Workshop
In the workshop we will explore what that particular DG sound is and how you can produce that sound. Your hurdy-gurdy We already betrayed that it is not only a question of the correct nuts play in the correct order , but it's going to tone production , the interplay of ornamentation and main melody . In addition, fingering and especially the rhythmic playing of the melody play an important role. Of course, the use trumpet and trumpet sound are discussed. 
De inhoud
We gebruiken opnames en repertoire uit de traditie of composities die recentelijk vanuit die traditie zijn geschreven. Het is uitdrukkelijk geen repertoire workshop. We werken vanuit een pittige compositie waar veel technieken in zitten, die we ook toepassen in de andere te spelen stukken. De compositie is op diverse manieren te benaderen, zowel basaal als met veel omspelingen en harmoniërend met de basismelodie. Vanaf eind november is die compositie voor de inschrijvers beschikbaar (als audiobestand, er wordt niet met partituren gewerkt), zodat we goed voorbereid van start kunnen gaan. Huiswerk is een belangrijk bestanddeel van de workshop
De docent
De workshop wordt gegeven door Cor Westbroek. Hij volgde cursussen bij gerenommeerde D-G spelers als Patrick Bouffard, Maxou Heintzen, Pierre Sacépé, Marcel Denis en Jacques le Correque. Hij houdt zich al vele jaren met deze stijl van draailierspelen bezig. In het vorige lesseizoen gaf Cor (samen met Jonneke Jorissen) ook een Bourbonnais-cursus voor D-instrumenten. Cor was hier zo enthousiast over, dat hij dit jaar graag opnieuw een cursus voor D-draailieren geeft!

Data en algemene informatie

Deze cursus is een onderdeel van de zaterdagcursus en vindt dus op dezelfde locatie in Driebergen en data plaats. De data zijn:
- 18 januari
- februari: datum volgt
- 22 maart
- 5 april
De oorspronkelijke datum in februari wordt verplaatst in verband met de workshopdag met Gilles Chabenat. Een alternatieve datum maken we zo spoedig mogelijk bekend. De keuze is uit 15 februari, 22 februari of 24 mei.
Kosten cursusreeks: 140 euro, tot 1 januari kost de cursus slechts 130 euro
Maximum aantal deelnemers: 10
Niveau eisen:
Deze cursus is bedoeld voor gevorderde draailierspelers die meerdere cursussen of stages hebben gevolgd. Deelnemers zijn bereid thuis voldoende tijd te besteden om de lesstof voor de volgende les voor te bereiden. De draailier moet zodanig ingericht zijn dat het specifieke D-G geluid ook voortgebracht kan worden. Dus de juiste besnaring!


-- google translate -- The Content
We use recordings and repertoire of the tradition or compositions that have recently been written . From that tradition It is explicitly not a repertoire workshop . We work from a spicy composition which many techniques in it , which we apply in the other pieces to play . The composition can be approached both basic as well as with many omspelingen and -coordinated with the tune base in various ways. From late November that compose the tenderers available ( as an audio file, there is no talk of scores ) , so we can go . Well prepared to start Homework is an important component of the workshop
-- The Teacher
The workshop is given by Cor Westbroek . He took courses at renowned DG players like Patrick Bouffard , Maxou Heintzen , Pierre Sacepe , Marcel Denis and Jacques le Correque . He has been involved for many years with this style of playing hurdy busy . In the previous lesseizoen Cor gave (along with Jonneke Jorissen ) also Bourbonnais course for D instruments . Cor was so excited about this , that he would like once again provides a course for D - turning winches this year!
-- Data and general information
This course is part of the course , so is Saturday at the same location in Driebergen and data transfer . The dates are :
- January 18
- February : date follows
- March 22
- April 5
The original date in February is moved in relation to the workshop with Gilles Chabenat . An alternative date, we are known as soon as possible . The choice is from February 15, 22 February and 24 May.
-- Course fees range: 140 euro , on 1 January of the course costs only 130 euros
Maximum number of participants : 10
-- Level requirements
This course is intended for advanced hurdy gurdy players who have attended several courses or internships . Participants are willing to spend to prepare at home . The curriculum for the next lesson for sufficient time The draailier must be arranged so that the sound can be specific DG . Also be generated So the right strings! 

> Stichting Draailier en Doedelzak
facebook event page for "Le Bonbournais"


Edition of 5 DECEMBER is published!







Edition of 5 DECEMBER is published!

your submissions are appreciated - please post your favorite articles, videos and photos of the world of the Hurdy Gurdy! *

The Hurdy Gurdy Weekly • #HGWeekly
http://tinyurl.com/HGWeekly

#HurdyGurdy :|: #HGWeekly





* * to contribute to the paper: please tweet #HGWeekly, join and post to the group onfacebook, or email (found on this page) - thank you - please enjoy!




9 DECEMBER, BUDAPEST: Magyar Reneszánsz Együttes - Hungarian Renaissance Ensemble


"It is time to play late renaissance music!"



▶ Mandel Quartet, Claude Gervaise: dances - YouTube: ROBERT MANDEL and the Mandel Quartet - French renaissance dances composed by the editor and arranger Claude Gervaise. Gervaise was an assistant to Pierre Attaingnant too, and also the editor on the title pages for several of Attaingnant's books of instrumental dances. 

(english below)** A Magyar Reneszánsz Együttes akár napjaink "régizenei sup
ergroup"-ja is lehetne, hiszen tagjai külön-külön mind igen népszerű együttesek vezetői, irányítói évtizedek óta. A Musica Profana, a Tercina, az Ex Canto és a Camerata Hungarica, valamint a Mandel Quartet tapasztalata, ötletei és tudása egyesül a Magyar Reneszánsz Együttesben. A különleges zenei formáció ebben a felállásban immár közel egy éve dolgozik együtt, a világ egyik legrangosabb régizenei fesztiválján, a Stockholm Early Music Festival-on mutatkoztak be óriási sikerrel.

** The Hungarian Renaissance Ensemble from today's "old music supergroup" yeah well be, as members of separate bands are very popular leaders, managers for decades. Musica Profana, Tercina, Ex Canto and Camerata Hungarica, and Mandel Quartet experience, ideas and knowledge unite the Hungarian Renaissance Ensemble. A special musical formation in this lineup has been working together for almost a year, one of the world's most prestigious early music festivals in Stockholm Early Music Festival were introduced with great success. (google translate)

> Magyar Reneszánsz Együttes





8 FEBRUARI, ROTTERDAM: Workshop Gilles Chabenat | Stichting Draailier en Doedelzak





(english below) ** Dit weekend is Gilles Chabenat in Rotterdam voor een concert met Malicorne op het Celtic & Balfolk festival. Deze unieke kans heeft de Stichting aangegrepen om samen met dit festival een interessante workshop voor (ver)gevorderde draailierspelers met Chabenat te organiseren. Deelnemers aan deze workshop hebben ook toegang tot dit festival waar Chabenat speelt.
In verband met de soundcheck van Malicorne voor hun concert die avond, zal 's middags de workshop even onderbroken worden. We vragen begrip voor deze onderbreking. We proberen dit te laten samenvallen met bijvoorbeeld de middagpauze. Dit is gedeeltelijk afhankelijk van de logistiek van het festival.
Gilles Chabenat behoeft weinig introductie. Met recht kunnen we stellen dat hij tot de internationale top van draailierspelers behoort. Hij is naast een zeer begaafde muzikant, ook een voortreffelijke docent. Zijn stijl van lesgeven is een mix van prachtige melodieën waarbij er ruimte is voor diepgang en perfectionering van de techniek.
Voor meer informatie over deze docent, zie ook zijn >>>website
Voor het volledige programma van het festival waar hij met Malicorne speelt, zie de website van >>>De Doelen
Deze workshop is inclusief een ticket voor dit festival, het is niet nodig om alvast apart kaarten te bestellen. Losse ticket (dus zonder workshopdeelname!) zijn te verkrijgen via de website van de De Doelen
This weekend Gilles Chabenat in Rotterdam for a concert with Malicorne at the Celtic & Balfolk festival. The Foundation has seized along with organizing this festival . Interesting workshop for ( re) advanced hurdy gurdy players Chabenat this unique opportunity The workshop participants also have access to this festival where Chabenat plays .


** (google translate) –


In connection with the soundcheck Malicorne for their concert that evening , the workshop will be at noon momentarily interrupted . We apologies for this interruption . We try to coincide with the lunch break for example this. This is partly dependent on the logistics of the festival.

Gilles Chabenat needs little introduction . Indeed, we may say that he is one of the top international players of hurdy-gurdy . He is next to a very talented musician , also an excellent teacher. His teaching style is a mix of gorgeous melodies where there is room for depth and perfection of technique .

For more information about the teacher , see his website >>>
For the full program of the festival , where he plays with Malicorne , see the website of De Doelen >>>
This workshop includes a ticket for this festival , it is not necessary to order . Already separately cards Single ticket (without workshop participation! ) Can be obtained via the website of De Doelen


more > Stichting Draailier en Doedelzak