Five minstrels from France

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33533, 14 May 1974, Page 10

Five minstrels from France

Long ago. professional musicians from France wandered around Europe, performing the popular art music of their time. Les Menestriers, the modern day equivalent of these minstrels, will give one concert in the James Hay Theatre on Sunday, at 8 p.m.

Les Menestriers, five young French musicians, are one of the most winning and offbeat ensembles to tour New Zealand for some time. Their approach to their concerts is pleasantly informal. They play medieval and Renaissance music as if they were having a bit of fun, and hope their audience is, also. On a variety of recorders, viols, krummhoms, shawms, percussion, and other reed, bowed and plucked instruments from the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, Les Menestriers play music which may be ancient music, but which is interesting to ears of today.

Les Menestriers resemble one of the more clean-cut young rock groups. They dress informally, and often at the interval of their con-

[certs the stage is discreetly stormed by a new species of “groupie,” who are not trying to tear off the clothes" of their idols for souvenirs, but to get a closer glimpse of a rebec, a cittern, or a krummhom. Les Menestriers take all this interest in their stride, and obligingly remain onstage, discussing their ancient instruments with the audience. The tour of Les Menestriers is organised by the Music Federation, with the support of the Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council.