The Musical Culture of Elizabethan England:

a “British Autumn” open lecture jointly organised by SPECHEL[1]

and the English Studies Work Group of the Committee for Literature and Language, Regional Centre of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Pécs

Held by: Emily Askew and Victoria Couper

12.00-13.30, October 21, 2014

Pécs University Ifjúság útja 6 Campus, Lecture Hall E 542

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The Elizabethan period was a time where the borders between magic, witchcraft, science, and religion were still being forged. People believed in the body having humours, and the stars and movement of the heavens had great significance.

This lecture will focus on introducing the period instruments, singing styles, and song themes present in Elizabethan England. From shawms and bagpipes to vielles, recorders, and voice - there was a huge palate of sounds on offer both from the loud outdoor bands to the quiet indoor ensembles. In this talk you'll also find out about the recent Elizabethan Session project, which looked at writing new songs and tunes inspired by events and stories from 16th century England. Subjects of death, murder, slavery, pirates, shepherds, sexism, and of course, love were present amongst the gems of music and song created in the residency.

Emily Askew is an extremely versatile musician playing recorders, vielle (medieval fiddle), bagpipes, fiddle and shawm. Her musical interests are wide and varied: folk, medieval, Baroque and contemporary. She is the recipient of the 2009 Dove Memorial Prize, has twice been a BBC Young Folk Award semi-finalist and in 2005 won the New Roots competition. Emily performs with a range of early music ensembles, including Medieval and Renaissance groups. She has performed in operas as principal recorder at Glyndebourne Opera House and as a multi-instrumentalist in productions for Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, the Apollo Theatre, Sam Wanamaker Playhouse and the Hampstead Players.

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Victoria Couper studied Ethnomusicology at SOAS, University of London, with a focus on Judeo-Spanish song. She has since performed with a wide variety of musical ensembles and theatrical productions. She has made frequent appearances on BBC TV, on radio, at the Royal Opera House, the Promenade Concerts, and the Salisbury Festival.

Emily and Victoria will also be giving an evening concert at the Művészetek és Irodalmak Háza at 19.00.