Skarazula: Medieval european, turkish and arabic music.


Skarazula's repertoire will bring you on a journey back in time with influences from medieval European, Turkish and Arabic music. For many years the musicians of Skarazula have developed a growing interest for ancient music and have furthered their research to enhance their love about this fascinating and rich universe. The many shapes that the medieval era has left us to discover inspire the choice of instruments on which the group plays. Furthermore, the luthier of the group crafted nearly all the stringed instruments that he plays and the percussionist also built some of his own. From traditional to original music, the three minstrels of Skarazula put in their music the same passion and the same talent.

Skarazula was created in Montreal in 1999 by composer, string player, singer and luthier François Rainville with percussionist and backup singer Steve Grenier. Flutist François Perron joined the group in 2001 after a change of personnel, he also sings back vocals.

The group's approach is inspired by the many ways musicians of today have of playing medieval music. The musicians of Skarazula do not try to achieve a historical reconstruction; they rather let themselves be inspired by what has been discovered about the history of music. Combining this with an obvious freedom concerning arrangements, what the listener gets is a style somewhat modern but yet remaining true to its medieval essence.

In addition to the original pieces, Skarazula's repertoire comes from Europe and the Near East between the IXth and the XVIth century. The composer of the group, having furthered his knowledge of oriental music, brings an authentic colour to Skarazula's music. The three musician's approach brings a very rich blend of mixed skills. It shows in the arrangements and the playing techniques used. The medieval modes and harmony are respected, but the Europeans probably did not know some of the instruments used like the djembe. In that sense, Skarazula's approach is not for the purist as the group allows itself a great freedom.

  Skarazula

[Litha by Skarazula]

Litha


[Ostara by Skarazula]

Ostara



Skarazula lives in Montreal, Canada.

Tagged as: Classical, World, Renaissance, Arabic influenced.


Recommended artists:
  1. Fortune's Wheel: a spirited rediscovery of the riches of medieval musical traditions
  2. Edward Martin: vihuela, renaissance and baroque lute
  3. Canconier: Medieval music from the 12th to the 15th centuries
  4. Paul Beier: solo lute of the Italian renaissance.
  5. Federico Moscogiuri: Original and evocative lute music
  6. Paul Berget: renaissance lute, modernized.
  7. Asteria: late-medieval vocal and instrumental music
  8. Dufay Collective: instrumental and vocal music from the Middle Ages and Reniassance
  9. Alex McCartney: Reflective, historically-informed performance on the lute
  10. AlmaNova: lively flute/guitar duo
  11. Daniel Shoskes: A feast of Baroque lute
  12. Shira Kammen: early folk and celtic music.
  13. American Baroque: Spectacular Baroque and Classical chamber music
  14. Daniel Estrem: colorful classical guitar
  15. In Nova Cantica: carols and chansons from the 13th - 17th Centuries for dancing, festivities and mayhem
  16. Jacob Heringman: renaissance lute
  17. Richard MacKenzie: Virtuoso English Lutenist and Guitarist
  18. La Reverie: Recreating traditional music from a modern perspective
  19. Misericordia: sickeningly good Medieval
  20. Alison Crum and Roy Marks: Ethereal, enigmatic and exhilarating renaissance miniature masterpieces for viol and lute