Rune: Decameron Musicale
Inspired by Boccaccio’s famous collection of interlocking tales, medieval ensemble Rune presents a kaleidoscopic mosaic of musical stories, refracting literary themes from The Decameron through the sounds of 14th-century Italy.
Rune is a medieval ensemble dedicated to performing the music of the Middle Ages. Taking its name from the Old English word rūn, meaning "mystical spell-song," Rune brings medieval music to life through informed practices and creative interpretation. The members were brought together through their shared passion for medieval music after its members met during Medieval Carols at St Bartholomew-the-Great.
Giovanni Boccaccio wrote his masterwork Decameron after the outbreak of the Black Death in Florence, 1348. It is a frame story in which a group of friends, sequestered from the horrors of the plague in a rural villa, share stories with each other to entertain, rouse, and move. In this programme each piece is an individual musical story. As in Decameron, they are collected together into five themes; fortune and the capricious effects of fate; virtue and devotion; love, both joyous and tragic; trickery and sin; and finally intelligence. Music was flourishing in 14th century Italy, and many of the pieces come from composers of the time such as Francesco Landini and Johannes Ciconia. Threaded into this there is also medieval music from more distant times and places, just as Boccaccio weaved together stories from as far away places as India and the Middle East. These include a Virelai from the Roman de Fauvel, sacred music from the cathedrals of England and Binchois’ enigmatic chanson Triste plaisire et douloureuse joye. Boccaccio’s Decameron portrays the various aspects of human nature and experience in vivid detail, and it is our pleasure to echo this through some of the most beautiful music of his time.
In Association with Brighton Early Music Festival
Continuing our collaboration with BREMF Brighton Festival this concert is a Memorial to Deborah Roberts BEM who nurtured so many new young artists and ensembles over many years.
