Renaissance
(noun): this time period from about 1400 to 1650. The term refers
to the rebirth of classical ideals of art and music following
the Medieval period. At this time, composers, artists and philosophers
were rejectilg the conservative religious trends of the Middle
Ages by restoring ideals of classical antiquity from the Greek
and Roman philosophies which had disappeared with the fall of
the Roman Empire.
The
Instruments of the Ensemble
Celtic
Harp: A Celtic harp is recognizable by its small size and
curved front pillar. The key is changed by flipping a set of
levers that alter the pitch of certain stringsÑmaking them sharps
or flats, the equivalent of the black keys on the piano. A harper
plucks the strings of the harp to make it sound.
Fiddle: A
fiddle is the same as a violin. It is called a fiddle when it
plays a certain style of music. Traditional Irish music and
other folk music is played on the fiddle, while the same instrument
is called a violin when played in a symphony orchestra. The
fiddle (or violin) has four strings and is held under the playerÕs
chin. The sound is made by drawing a bow across the strings.
Oboe:
An
oboe is a member of the double-reed family. That means that
it is played by blowing air through two blades of cane that
vibrate. This vibration resonating into the oboe is what makes
it sound. Oboes are most often heard in orchestras and in classical
chamber music.
Penny-whistle: A
pennywhistle (or tinwhistle) is a traditional woodwind instrument
that is played by blowing through a mouthpiece into the instrument
which looks like a little tube with holes in it. The air goes
past a resonating block called a fipple. The pennywhistle is
most often played in traditional Celtic bands.
Scottish
Smallpipes: The
Scottish Smallpipes are a form of bagpipe similar to the Highland
pipes seen in parades. The biggest difference is how the air
is pumped into the instrument to make the sound. While Highland
pipe players blow air into the instrument directly, Scottish
Smallpipe players pump air into the pipes with a bellows (similar
to a fireplace bellows) that is under their arm. The pipes are
very complicated with several reeds in the drones - pipes that
just sound one note, and the chanter @ where the player changes
the notes by covering the finger holes.
Viola da Gamba: Like
the fiddle or violin, the Viola da Gamba is played by drawing
a bow across the strings. It is a very different construction
from the instruments in the violin family though. Instead of
just 4 strings, it has 6 or 7 and there are frets on the neck
like there are on a guitar. The Viola da Gamba is held between
the playerÕs knees in order to play it, and the bow is held
upside-down from the way the violinist holds the bow.
Terms
from the Story:
accomplishment:
a successfully completed task or achievement
allegiance: loyalty
amidst:
in the middle of
banquet
hall: a big room where a dinner or banquet is held
confederates:
friends and allies
confidence:
to trust someone to tell a secret to is to take them into your
confidence
confined:
restrictedÑkept within boundaries
corridor: hallway
courageous:
very brave
courtyard:
a garden or yard surrounded by a large building such as a castle
crone:
very old woman
designated:
assigned to disarray: all messy and unorganized
disfigured: spoiled or deformed
dormant: asleep (for plants)
drawbridge:
a bridge that can be raised up and down. This can prevent anyone
from crossing it, or allow tall boats to go beneath it.
entourage:
a group of attendants and servants that surround the queen
exquisite:
very very beautiful flourish: to grow and thrive
footsoldiers:
soldiers that are marching on foot forfeit: give up gaiety:
cheerfulness
glade:
an open space in the middle of a forest
incredulously: reacting with disbelief and surprise joyous:
full of joy and happiness
lingered:
stayed behind moat: a deep ditch filled with water that is surrounds
a castle to protect it
motionless:
not moving; staying completely still
mythical:
imaginary neglected: left alone and not cared for
nurtured:
to help to grow ominous: scary and threatening
perimeter:
around the edge of an area such as a meadow
projectile: an object that is thrown, hurled or projected
rejuvenate:
to restore or return to health and happiness
rumors: information that may not be true spread by word-of-mouth
spellbound: held under a spell, entranced
summoned:
to be sent for
stench:
bad smell surrendered: gave up
tapestries:
big cloth wall hangings with pictures on them thrive: to grow
and flourish
thunderous:
loud like thunder
undermine: to dig away at. In the story Rupert digs away
at the queenÕs authority to weaken it.
victorious:
being the winner
vultures:
a very large bird that eats dead things
wondrous:
wonderful wounded: hurt
Bagpipe
•
Celtic
Harp • Fiddle
• Oboe,
Recorder and Pennywhistle
Percussion
• Viola
da Gamba • Useful
Terms
