Caroline Downer
Caroline Downer is a Melbourne early-music performer on vielle, harp and hurdy-gurdy, working with the mediæval ensemble Cantigas.
Her Move recordings sit inside Cantigas’ monophonic and folk-based programmes from Europe, Asia and the Middle East, played on hand-crafted Australian reproductions of period instruments in mean-tone temperament.
She contributes vielle, harp and hurdy-gurdy on Silk and Spice (MD 3137) and Courts in Colour (MD 3177), and supplied programme notes for Travellers’ Tapestry (MD 3153). The group’s arrangements draw courts, trade routes and crusader-era soundworlds into living chamber performance.
Performing as Cantigas
Cantigas recreate the music of the Middle Ages with authentic compositions which use techniques of mediaeval performance practice such as countermelodies, drones, rhythm parts and creative improvisation.
Courts in Colour
Traditional melodies from four important courts of the Middle Ages: Eleanor of Aquitaine, the Gaon of Tiberias, Saladin of Egypt, and Alfonso X of Castile and León. Cantigas bring them to life on authentic mediæval instruments.
Composer
Travellers' Tapestry
Cantigas weave mediæval and folk-based music from Europe, Asia and the Middle East into a tapestry of trade-route exchange, played on recorder, percussion and early string instruments.
Credit: Programme notes
Silk and Spice
Cantigas follow the mediæval Silk Road in dance, monophonic song and improvisation. Recorders, rebec, vielle, oud, lute and percussion carry music shaped by Europe, Asia and the Middle East.