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2015

MEDIEVAL MUSIC DAYS

CANTIGAS DE SANTA MARIA



April 2015: WORKSHOP, CONCERT AND SUPPER


Following the success of its first edition les Reverdies de Montréal organized its second edition of Medieval music Days. Once again the event included a workshop, concert, and medieval supper. Aficionados and musicians of all levels where able to learn and discover medieval music, exchange ideas and establish bonds with the Montreal mucicians who share a passion for medieval music.


The Cantigas de Santa Maria is an Iberian manuscript containing over 400 secular songs to Mary in the Galician-Portugese language. The songs were collected and notated during the reign of Alfonso X "the Wise" (1221-1284), and form one of the largest medieval collections of monophonic songs. The manuscript is also famous for its depictions of Christian, Muslim and Jewish court musicians and their wide variety of instruments



ON THE ROAD TO COMPOSTELA



September 2015: WORKSHOP, CONCERTS AND SUPPER

Following the success of its first two editions, Les Reverdies Montréal was pleased once again to present its third Medieval Music Days. This edition wncluded a participatory workshop, two concerts on the theme of the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, and an evening of shared food and fun. Music lovers and musicians of all levels were offered a place to learn and discover, to share and listen, and to join the growing community of Montrealers who share a passion for medieval music.

The first concert was given by the Montreal Ensemble ESTAVEL while Les REVERDIES DE MONTRÉAL présented the second concert.

Aficionados and musicians of all levels were able to discover the famous Codex Calixtinus Manuscript and the story behind the Camino de Compostelas stil travelled nowadays.




CODEX CALIXTINUS


The Codex Calixtinus is considered to be the most important surviving medieval manuscript in Spain. Its five books were commissioned during the 1130‘s by P ope Calixtus II to promote the cult of Saint James. The relics of this apostle had been “discovered” three centuries prior on the northwest coast of the Iberian peninsula, and increasing numbers of pilgrims from all over Europe were visiting them in the cathedral built to house the relics, in the town now called Santiago de Compostela. The Codex Calixtinus contains the liturgical information relevant to the celebration of Saint James, many of the legends and miracles surrounding his cult, a guidebook for pilgrims on the road to Santiago, and finally, a number of musical works dedicated to St. James, including several of the oldest surviving polyphonic pieces.