10 July 2010

Royal Palm Stage

//   21:15

Zefiro Torna

(Belgium)

"Les Tisserands"

Amorroma: Jowan Merckx (flutes, bagpipes, compositions); Bert Van Reeth (bouzouki)
Zefiro Torna: Liam Fennelly (viol, viola da gamba), Jurgen De bruyn (lutes)
Traces: Philippe Laloy (soprano saxophone), Vincent Noiret (double bass)

The traditional music group Amorroma, the historical musical ensemble Zefiro Torna and the jazz band Traces meet in a programme imbued by the spirit of Catharism. In the 12th and 13th centuries, the Cathars formed an important spiritual movement. Averse to all dogmas, they aimed at elevated human values such as austerity and noblesse de coeur. Also called “phiphles” or flute players in Flanders and “tisserands” (weavers) in France, they were persecuted by the Inquisition for heresy, and finally brought down in Montségur, a town in the French Pyrenees. The poetic texts of the Occitanian troubadours lean towards the ideas and actions of the Cathars, and give expression to a strong sense of liberty. Beside some of their medieval texts and melodies, the melodies composed by Jowan Merckx, serve as a source of inspiration for this programme. They are reminiscent of earlier musical styles from the baroque and the renaissance, and of traditional music forms. The duality of Cathar doctrine, based on the contrast between good and bad, Yin and Yang, generates a multitude of contrasts: complex polyphony compared to a simple monophonic melody, exalted dance music compared to narrative ballads, the strong, dark and piercing sounds of the bagpipes, double bass, viola da gamba and bouzouki compared to soft instruments like lute, harp, viol and flutes. A dialogue is created between the improvisations on soprano saxophone and the poetry of the Troubadours.

The Amorroma-duo has a lot of hidden treasures to offer to the attentive listener. The music they play is sensitive, intimate and full of imagination. They compose the pieces themselves, inspired by centuries of tradition and growth. Both of the musicians already toured worldwide and also recorded with ensembles in the "early-music-field" like Capilla Flamenca, All' Arpeggiata, Zefiro Torna, ...

The Flemish vocal-instrumental ensemble Zefira Torno was founded in 1996. Zefiro Torna consists of musicians who have won their spurs in ensembles such as the Huelgas ensemble, Collegium Vocale, Capilla Flamenca and Het Muziek Lod. Zefiro Torna brings the cultural heritage to life in a unique fashion, departing from a deep respect for the past. Authenticity is combined with creativity. They incorporate literature, theatre and contemporary or ethnic music in their productions. These are at times thematic, at other times strongly conceptual or experimental, always showing a strong sense of inspiration.

Since 2001 Traces is experimenting with fusioning jazz, classical and world music. The repertoire of the group balances between own compositions and new arrangements of European traditionals. Free interpretation and improvisation, essential elements of jazz, play an important role. Oriental influences lead us into a musical universe with strong melodies and enchanting rhythms.

www.zefirotorna.be

Press Quotes:

The Folk Song Magazine, It's certainly a disc that needs to be heard several times in order to spin out its details and present its charms in full, a work of scholarship and imagination.

Sing Out: “Les Tisserands as such don't exist. It's an amalgamation of three groups, jazzers Trace and traditionalists Amorroma along with ancient music ensemble Zefiro Torna, coming together to play music written by Amorroma frontman Jowan Merckx and inspired by the mysterious religious sect, the Cathars. There's plenty of interest here, even if it's far from traditional, but bringing in harp, gaita (bagpîpe), lutes and more certainly adds a medieval gloss, although thankfully the soprano saxophone (all too often an annoying instrument) is used sparingly and tastefully.

Psychedelic Folk:” It is a great idea of these three Belgian groups to join forces to express something of this area, because Amorroma plays folk, Traces playes a kind of folkjazzfusion and is experienced in giving it a chamber-like fusion, and Zefiro Torna is a professional group very experienced in Medieval music on a top level. It is especially when these groups mingle their energies and inspirations, that something special takes place, as something that might reveal something of the influence that such movement in France could have had towards for instance Belgium.”