DESCRIPTION:
This is an improvisation of CSM 159 (Non Sofre Santa Maria) performed by Northumbrian storyteller Sedayne (Sean Breadin) on his Medieval Crwth (or Crowd) - a Bowed Lyre reconstructed from the 11th century Limoges MS by Tim Hobrough circa. 1983. Some 26 years in my keeping, the instrument has suffered the knocks and abrasions of the feral wilderness, and though officially retired from performance, it remains a domestic delight. The drone is provided by an electronic Shruti Box (E + Ma / A) with two large animal bells ceremonially clanked by way of closure.

Recorded on the morning of Friday 2nd October, 2009, this I dedicate to the Medieval Ensembles & Indviduals of Yore whose inspiration remains potent to this day: to Rene Clemencic and his Consort; to Gregorio Paniagua and Atrium Musicae de Madrid; to Thomas Binkley and Studio de Fruhen Musik; to Rene Zosso, Esther Lamandier, Jason Paras, Sequentia et al.

This is an instrumental rendering of a song which tells of a singular miracle in which a piece of meat is purloined from a group of pilgrims on the road to the Shrine of Our Lady at Rocamador. On praying to the BVM, the meat comes alive, and reveals itself by dancing, coincidentally, in the box the pilgrims have used for their make-shift alter. Like so many of the Miracle Songs in the Cantigas de Santa Maria there is a vernacular humour both in the song and the music which (ever the programmatic pragmatist in such matters) I've tried to make evident in the present improvisation.

Hope you enjoy it.

Sedayne - The Fylde, Lancashire, UK, 2nd October 2009

http://www.myspace.com/sedayne