Istanpitta performs music of the 10th to 14th century Middle Ages including many traditional Middle Eastern dances. The ensemble consists of 3-5 musicians playing a variety of period instruments including oud, lute, saz, early percussion, shawms, recorders, transverse flutes, krummhorns, vielles, Medieval harp, bagpipes and voice. The ensemble performs live at formal concert venues, universities as well as fairs and festivals.
Their performances present the music in a manner that medieval musicians (who were broke and/or drunk * ) might have played them when performing for their next meal as they traveled from place to place across Europe. Istanpitta 's interpretations of songs and dances are meant to represent not the static literary versions (the words and music most likely transcribed onto parchment by a monk or nun) but the dynamic historical reality of the musician in the field (the guys with a beer in one hand * ). Not much has changed, eh?
* note from the director: Istanpitta does not employ drunken musicians. Medieval musicians don't get paid enough to drink that much.
Please visit Istanpitta.com for more information on CDs, books, performances, and contacting us directly.
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