SATURDAY 4 DECEMBER 2010, 8pm, Canongate Kirk (note time and venue)

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Ensemble Grand Désir - Her Lady's Devotion

In this programme, the unique position of the female musician in the 15th century is shown against the backdrop of the so-called ‘Devotia Moderna’. With the ideals of Christian Humanism, the Devotia Moderna recommended a more individual attitude towards belief and religion, and was especially prominent in cities in the Low Countries during the 14th and 15th centuries. The musical repertoire of the Devotia Moderna used in this programme highlights a female aspect of musicianship: it is taken from the ‘Songbook of Anna of Cologne’ and from the sources of the nunneries of St Margaretha and St Agnieten in Amsterdam and Utrecht respectively.

‘... it is especially the quality of their performance, their melodic rhythm and serene singing that will convince the listener - Rudolf Rammensma, Leeuwarder Courant