Djanogly Recital Hall, Nottingham, 14 December 2017
Joglaresa seem to have an unerring ability to infuse joy into everything they do – all the more important at this time of the year but none the less very welcome.
Where original instrument performances can err on the esoteric side there is nothing prim about Joglaresa though equally there is no compromise where professionalism is concerned. The instruments are authentic – two medieval five-stringed fidels, an Irish bouzouki, gittern, dulcimer and harp, plus a fine range of percussion – the voices direct and crisp, and tempi almost always up-beat.
But what really impresses is the sense of intimacy. Time and again the plucked strings, gentle harp or dulcimer, draw us in to a medieval hall where we are very much part of the family, captivated by the beauty of the voices, or the sudden raucous outburst of a drinking song.
Their Christmas programme ranges widely, and even where some of the music is familiar, it is performed with a deep understanding of its origins and impact. They take The Coventry Carol back to the 13th century rather than its more familiar Elizabethan version as early instruments could not play the scale needed for the later arrangements.
The texts range happily from Latin, through early and medieval English to modern English. Rather than confusing the ear this adds to the sense of wonder and a realisation, if we did not already know it, that there is far more to Christmas than Dickens and the later 19th century.
The virtuoso fidel playing was provided by May Robertson, joined by fideler Sianed Jones who also enchanted us with Pais Dinogad, a 6th century Welsh carol. Lea Corthwaite provided the lead male voice, launching into The Boar’s Head Carol with vigour, as well as playing the gittern, and was partnered by the highly accomplished Kerry Ann Holland whose high floating soprano lines enchanted as much as her harp playing.
Louise Anna Duggan gave us gentle tones from the dulcimer as well as playing a mean tambourine, alongside Tad Sargent’s Irish bouzouki and bodhran.
All forces were kept splendidly in their place and encouraged by Belinda Sykes who leads the troupe. Her knowledge is obviously very deep but she wears her expertise lightly, keeping us well informed without ever feeling we are in an academic lecture. She also sings with aplomb, to say nothing of playing the recorder and bagpipes!
A wonderful evening. Joglaresa have been on the road for 25 years. At this rate they will still be enthusing audiences until their 50th.
Full details of all events and cds at www.joglaresa.com