World's Bliss, Medieval Songs - John Fleagle

Ensemble: John Fleagle
Album: World's Bliss - Medieval Songs
Video: Rutland Psalter, XIII secolo
  / musicamedievale  
•
Today I want to introduce you to a truly fascinating musician, a unforgettable personality for lovers of medieval and traditional music. A musician who played with the same spirit both at country festivals celebrating May and at internationally renowned productions such as the complete works of Hildegard von Bingen by the Sequentia ensemble or the Boston Camerata productions of Joel Cohen and Anna Azema. I'm talking about John Fleagle.

There isn't much information about him online, but the story dedicated to John Fleagle on this blog is very touching and intimate: https://bipolarforlife.wordpress.com/... . I believe it's written by a young woman, whose name I haven't been able to find, who in her blog recounts her very intimate and artistic experience with Fleagle when they were young and at the beginning of their musical careers. Roommates, they began attending and performing at May festivals, amidst flower crowns and spring celebrations with dancing and music. Their artistic rise was rapid, and she nostalgically recounts various anecdotes, like the time she found John with a bottle of oil in one hand and one of vinegar in the other, taking alternating sips, telling her how he no longer had time to make himself a salad between concerts!

John Fleagle had a splendid voice, played many instruments perfectly, and was nicknamed "L' Ange" (The Angel), both for his singing skill and his beauty.
In addition to countless folk and traditional music concerts, of which unfortunately no trace remains, we can hear him singing in the aforementioned work by the Sequentia ensemble, dedicated to Hildegard von Bingen. On the Boston Camerata website, under a small obituary, we find the works that include his present: The Sacred Bridge - Le Roman de Fauvel, Carmina Burana, The Game of Love, The American Vocalist, Noël, Noël: A French Christmas, and Angels. Some of these works are available on this channel: I will update those that are missing soon!
With the exception of track 14, the repertoire originates from Great Britain and spans the period from approximately the 13th to the 17th century.

Concerning the video: I used the 13th-century Rutland Psalter, a splendid English manuscript full of wonderful and often absurd images, including many important scenes of everyday life. I had fun trying to match the images with the instruments Fleagle used in each song. Furthermore, the manuscript is English, just like the repertoire performed except for the track 14.

I wish you happy listening!
Mirko Virginio Volpe
MUSICA MEDIEVALE
•
1 Alysoun - Anon., ca 1300, London, Brit. Museum. Harley 2253
2 Blow, Northerne Wynd - Anon., ca 1300, London, Brit. Museum. Harley 2253
3 Da Day Dawn - Trad., Shetland Islands
4 Twa Corbies - Trad., Scotland
5 Death and the Lady - Trad., England
6 Winter Wakeneth - Anon., ca 1300, London, Brit. Museum. Harley 2253
7 Nou Shrinketh Rose - Anon., ca 1300, London, Brit. Museum. Harley 2253
8 Doon da Rooth - Trad., Shetland Islands
9 O Speculum Spericum - Anon., 13th c., Durham Cathedral, Ms C.1.20
10 The Hern - Anon., ca 1500, Richard Hill's Ms. (Adapted)
11 Maiden in the Moor - Anon., 13th c., Rawlinson Ms D913
12 Worldes Blis - Anon., 13th c., Rawlinson Ms G18
13 George Collins - Trad., England
14 Près de Paris - Trad., France
15 Nottamun Town - Trad., Kentucky
16 I have a Yong Suster - Anon., ca 1450, Sloane Ms 2593
•
John Fleagle - voice, harp, lute, sinfonia, fiddle, bodhran
Shira Kammen - vielle, fiddle
•
Buy: https://cutt.ly/IrKyLFTx
🌻 The monetization of this channel is disabled to offer the highest possible listening quality. Please support the channel with a free donation: http://paypal.me/volpemirko or   / musicamedievale  
•
➳ Don't forget to also add yourself to the Medieval Music Whatsapp group, so you don't miss a single update about medieval music: no silly chats and your phone number will not be viewable by me or by any other community participant. https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029...

#musicamedievale #realmedievalmusic #earlymusic #medievalmusic #traditional #folkmusic