Centuries before “Jingle Bells” and “Blue Christmas” dominated the radio waves, dulcet tones of a flute, lute and guitar accompanied singers to the melodic strains of “Greensleeves” and “Good King Wenceslaus.”
And for royal court entertainment (the Renaissance equivalent of office parties), these musical troups were as popular and well-received as today?s Elvis impersonators.
The Peabody Renaissance Ensemble will carry its audience back to Elizabethan times with a performance of Renaissance and Baroque music in a Christmas program titled “Sweet was the Songe” on Thursday night.
Led by Peabody alumnus Mark Cudek the ensemble will present a repertoire that includes both English and Spanish pieces such as “In dulci jubilo,” and some that audiences will recognize such as “Good Christian Men Rejoice” and “Piae Cantiones: Tempus adest florides” or “Good King Wenceslaus.”
“This is not museum music,” said Cudek. “A lot of it is popular music [that] people have heard without realizing it.”
Cudek?s program will showcase 14 singers (some performing a capella) in the first half. The second part of the program will feature nine instrumentalists, “a baroque orchestra,” he says, “with standard strings that include viola, violin and cello.”
“I?m doing a little bit of everything,” Cudek noted he, after receiving a degree in classical guitar, began playing arrangements for the lute. Today, his instrument of choice is called a Cittern, similar to a lute but with wire strings and a flattened back.
“These concerts are extremely well-received because a lot of the music is so accessible and based on folk tunes,” Cudek said.
“It?s a wonderful way to celebrate Christmas and go back to the traditions of the Season,” said Margaret Bell, spokeswoman for Peabody.
