Hameln Anno 1284:
Medieval flute music on the trail of the Pied Piper
Norbert Rodenkirchen – medieval transverse flutes
with Chris Smith, narrator
Monday, Feb. 2, 2015, 8 pm
Hemmle Recital Hall, Texas Tech University School of Music
Free admission-sponsored by the Texas Tech School of Music, with additional support from Caprock Early Music Association
This Jan. 29-Feb. 2 We are delighted to welcome guest artist Norbert Rodenkirchen of the renowned medieval ensemble Sequentia, who will be giving a lecture and workshop on Friday afternoon January 30 for the Early Music Ensemble and the TTU Flute Studio, and presenting his "Hameln Anno 1248" concert program on Monday evening Feb 2 in Hemmle Recital Hall at the TTU School of Music.
Here is more information about the concert:
“Flutist Norbert Rodenkirchen immersed us deeply into the world of the Middle Ages…the music unfolds an almost bewitching spell.” – Fono Forum
The legend of the mysterious flautist who in the year 1284 enticed the children away from the town of Hamelin with his music has retained its fascination up to the present day. Recent research suggests that the Pied Piper may have been an actual person—a flute-playing medieval recruitment officer, commissioned by the aristocracy from the territories south of the Baltic coast to attract young families to migrate to these areas. Early documents tell us that such a person succeeded in mobilising a large crowd of young people in Hamelin in the summer of 1284. What music might he have played?
Norbert Rodenkirchen, an internationally-known specialist in medieval flute music and a member of the renowned medieval music ensemble Sequentia, has long been fascinated by the figure of the Pied Piper. He was inspired to embark on a search for the story’s musical sources, which he found in the melodies of Prince Wizlaw III of Ruegen and his teacher, the so-called “Ungelahrte” (“Untaught”), augmented by ancient Slavonic dances from Northern Poland and the tunes of German minnesingers of the late 13th century. With his extensive experience in medieval improvisation, Norbert Rodenkirchen has utilised these musical models to weave a series of enchanting melodies in the style of medieval travelling musicians which could quite conceivably have been played by the Pied Piper himself.
In 2012 the Christophorus label released Norbert Rodenkirchen´s CD “Hameln Anno 1284 – Medieval music on the trail of the Pied Piper” which received tremendous public attention internationally. This summer, Norbert Rodenkirchen will be performing this program at the Boston Early Music Festival, one of the most prestigious early music events in the world. We are most fortunate to be able to bring him to Lubbock for a performance of this enthralling, improvisatory, and enchanting music (with free admission through the support of the TTU School of Music—an incredible opportunity). We hope you will join us, and be transported for an evening back to the thirteenth century!
