Ian the Minstrel - Medieval Minstrel
This Midlands Lute player and Medieval Minstrel has been performing publicly on a variety of instruments for 40 years - large and small venues from the Albert Hall to village halls.
He can perform as a soloist, duo or larger group and has appeared on TV and radio.
He is available for concerts, weddings and dances and specialises in the music of the renaissance and medieval periods on replicas of original lutes, renaissance guitars, citterns, gitterns, harps and a range of other historical instruments, playing arts centres, festivals, clubs, weddings and school workshops.
PRESS REVIEWS
"treasures of interpretation … a treat for the ears … moments of genuine tenderness … melodic, reflective and unforced. His instrumental virtuosity can’t be faulted, masterful on anything he turns his frets to."English Dance & Song magazine
"… beautiful set … a brilliant performance enthusiastically presented by a master musician to an appreciative and attentive audience that, quite simply, loved it. Wonderful." Folk at the Fold
"… superb … breathtaking ... and a very fine singing voice … his performances are both compelling and informing. A virtuoso." Alcester Folk Festival
"A singer whose voice you couldn’t mistake" The Folk Mag
"His live performances are flawless." Common Folk Club
"Splendid performance ... a joy and delight ... he had us all spell-bound." Food & Folk
"His easy-going manner engages the audience; and the night was an object lesson in talking about the songs in an entertaining way – as well as some fine singing and playing." Warwick Folk Club
"Absolutely fantastic … spectacular" Mudcat Café
"Exactly what I always hope I’m going to get ... we sometimes forget what a fine guitarist he is, partly because his gentle but solid vocals and purity of tone are what tend to stick in the memory." Shreds and Patches
"When you're as talented an instrumentalist as Ian, you have to be careful not to let the accompaniment dominate the song. He gets it absolutely right … a mature talent well in command of the material." Folk Monthly
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Ian the Minstrel - Medieval Minstrel Repertoire
Mr. Dowland’s Midnight John Dowland, c. 1620
Fortune John Dowland, c. 1615
Tarlton’s Resurrection John Dowland, c. 1590
Mrs. Winter’s Jump John Dowland, c. 1590
Il Bianco Fiore Cesare Negri, 1602
O mistress mine Thomas Morley, 1599
The Lady Banning, her Almand John Sturt, 1620
Robinsons May Thomas Robinson, c.1600
Gray’s Inn mask anon., England, 1610
Prince’s Mask anon., England, 1600
Rowallan untitled anon., Scotland, c. 1605-20
Gypsies Lilt anon., Scotland, c. 1605-20
Calata anon. Italy, c. 1502-1512
Belle qui tiens ma vie trad., France, pub. 1589
Home again, Market is done trad., England, c. 1620
Heart’s ease trad., England, c. 1560
Greensleeves trad., England, 1580
How should I your true love know trad., England, c. 1600
The Night Watch Anthony Holborne, 1599
La Volta trad., England, 1620 and Germany, 1612
Broom : The bonny bonny Broom trad., England, before 1634
Chestnut (or Dove’s Figary) trad., England, before 1651
Jenny Pluck Pears trad., England, before 1651
Pinagay trad., France, pub. 1589
Branle des lavandieres trad., France, pub. 1589
Branle d’Escosse trad., France, pub. 1589
Sellenger’s Round trad., England, 1590
All in a Garden Green trad., England, 1590
Gathering Peascods trad., England, 1590
Millison’s Jig trad., England, before 1651
The little Barly-Corne trad., England, 1618
Cuckolds all a row trad., England, 1637
Goddesses trad., England, c. 1610
Branle de l'official trad., France, pub. 1589
Branle Cassandre trad., France, pub. 1589
Branle des chevaulx trad., France, pub. 1589
Une Jeune Fillette = Queen’s Almain trad., France/England, 1568
In the Fields in Frost and Snow Thomas D'Urfey, 1706
Angelus ad virginem trad., England, c.1300
Foweles in þe frith anon., England, c. 1270
Magno gaudens anon., England, c. 1200
La duches / This enderis day anon., England, Gresley ms, c. 1480
Ly bens distonys anon., England, Gresley ms, c. 1480
Septime Estampie Real anon., France, Manuscrit du Roy, c. 1300
Seste Estampie Real anon., France, Manuscrit du Roy, c. 1300
Dansse [ductia] anon., France, Manuscrit du Roy, f. 5r, c. 1300
Dansee real anon., France, Manuscrit du Roy, f. 104v, c. 1300
Manuscrit du Roi, folio 5r [untitled] anon., France, Manuscrit du Roy, f. 5r, c. 1300
Amoroso trad. France, pub. c. 1470
Os que a Santa María (CSM 344) Cantigas de Santa Maria, Iberia, 1257-83
Tantas en Santa María (CSM 173) Cantigas de Santa Maria, Iberia, 1257-83
En bon ponto vimos (CSM 363) Cantigas de Santa Maria, Iberia, 1257-83
In Dulci Jubilo ?Henrich Suso, Germany, 1328
Lamento di Tristano anon., Italy, c.1400
Winder wie ist nû dîn kraft Neidhart von Reuental, 13th century
Edi beo þu heuene quene anon., England, late 13th century
Estampie from Douce 139 anon., England, 13th century
quinte estampie Real anon., France, Manuscrit du Roy, c. 1300
A Virgen mui grorïosa (CSM 42) Cantigas de Santa Maria, Iberia, 1257-83
Santa María, Strela do día (CSM 100) Cantigas de Santa Maria, Iberia, 1257-83
Quen a omagen da Virgen (CSM 353) Cantigas de Santa Maria, Iberia, 1257-83
Kalenda maya anon., Italy, 12th c.
Saltarello anon., Italy, Harley 29987 f.63, c. 1400
Saltarello (akin to a jig) anon., Italy, Harley 29987, f.64, c. 1400
Man mei longe him liues wene anon., England, c. 1250
Ce fu en mai Moniot d'Arras, France, fl. 1213–1239
Ctierche Estampie Roial anon., France, Manuscrit du Roy, c. 1300
Uitime estampie Real anon., France, Manuscrit du Roy, c. 1300
Stella Splendens anon., Catalonia, c. 1390
Ghaetta anon., c. 1400, Italy
La manfredina / La rota anon., c. 1400, Italy
Poi-las figuras fazen (CSM 136) Cantigas de Santa Maria, Iberia, 1257-83
Ian the Minstrel - Medieval Minstrel Feedback
“He was fantastic. Our rowdy guests really enjoyed singing along in the feasting hall and it created an incredible atmosphere. He was adaptable and tailored his act to fit our guests. We had quite a lot going on at our fete style celebration and he is not only a wonderful musician but kept our kept our guests who were interested in history engaged with historical facts and knowledge as we were mingling and taking photos.
My only regret is not seeing more oh his performance as I kept getting swept off for photography and mingling duties!
Would definitely book again.
”
“It was a pleasure working with the performer and having him perform on our wedding day. We always had good communication, quick responses, friendly and helpful advice, and we worked together to plan what we wanted to happen on the day. He was excellent on the day too. Both in terms of the music he played, but also his interaction with us and the guests. We had a 3 year old there, who took a particular interest in him and his instruments - he spent time talking with him and showing him things. He made quite an impression on this boy, as he is still talking about him and the music! All our guests made compliments afterwards about how fitting the instruments and music were for the event, and how much they enjoyed it. We would highly recommend him.
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“Thank you so much for playing and singing at our daughter and new son-in-law's wedding. You played with delicateness it was so special. And the way you interacted with all our guests was just lovely.
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“He helped us plan the music so it was just what we wanted. The harp playing as we entered the church was just right absolutely great, and the atmosphere he created with his music and his friendliness was exceptional.
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“Thank you for your beautiful music, which made our wedding day even more special. Of all the items in the ceremony, your music stood out as our favourite part.
”
Ian the Minstrel - Medieval Minstrel Gallery
