Philip Gunter
Philip Gunter is a Melbourne musician who plays oud, lute, darabouka and bells with the early-music ensemble Cantigas, and writes new pieces drawn from mediaeval source melodies.
On Silk and Spice (MD 3137) he brings the oud to dances, monophonic songs and improvisatory brackets that evoke the Silk Road and the Crusades.
On Courts in Colour (MD 3177) he is credited as both performer and composer across programmes shaped by the courts of Eleanor of Aquitaine, the Gaon of Tiberias, Saladin and Alfonso X, heard on handcrafted Australian reproductions of period instruments in mean-tone temperament.
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.
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.