Clara Sanabras voice and lutes, gittern Harvey Brough psaltery, voice Clare Salaman fiddle, hurdy-gurdy, nickerharpa Susanne Heinrich viola da gamba Ian Harrisson cornett, shawm, fiddle Ricardo Padilla guitar, percussion

Retrospect, a suitable word to describe the way we would like to interpret and perform together the music of the past. Consciously looking at it from the present rather than intending to travel back in time. Finding relevance in the words of a particular old song and pairing it up with a more modern piece of music, or vice-versa and presenting the two as a suite. Illustrating a moment in history by playing a Portuguese Madrigal and an English Folksong in the same set, giving chronology and authenticity a rest for the evening, and encouraging the imagination. Occasionally, the different pieces interweave and become one, finding their own place in time in the performance itself.

Sample Programme:

Mythologising Pocahontas illustrates in music the first usage in the English language of the word
‘Exotic’. Upon her arrival in London in 1616, Pocahontas personified the world’s contradictions. Includes English folksongs, Portuguese Madrigals, Masque Music and New World Polyphony. (3 to 5 performers)

Education:

Ys, songs of the first Sunken City and other Myths of the Sea: A Tribute New Orleans, tackles the issue of climate change, creating awareness with songs about mythical floods. Especially conceived for children, young adults. Includes, Medieval Ballads, Airs de Cour, Early Traditional French Songs. (3 to 8 performers)

Recordings:

A Tierras Ajenas, Zenobia, ZEN 402
The New Irish Girl, Linn Records, LINN CKD 164

Performances:

28 Oct 06 Brighton Early Music Festival
12 May 07 St Helier Festival, Jersey
13 Oct 07 Cambridge Early Music Festival

Contact:

Clara Sanabras, 68 Clissold Crescent,
London N16 9AT

Tel: 020 7241 0317
Mob: 07815 746877

Email: clarasan@clara.co.uk
Website: www.clarasanabras.co.uk