Est-ce Mars
Fantasia Amarilli
De Stront Moolen
Isabelle heeft in t hemdt gepist
De Stinkpot Menuet
Francijntje heeft een poep gelost
Johannatje heeft in bedt gekakt
Ballo del Granduca
Lachrimae Pavaen
Suite from Valerius’ Gedenck-clanck
Daphne
Susanne un jour
Questa dolce sirena
Anchor che col partire
Suite Pannekoeck
Gisterdag
Passamezzo antico
Onder de linde groen
Passamedley or Pasticcio antico

Songs Without Words is the first purely instrumental recording in the history of Camerata Trajectina. No words in sight, an odd phenomenon for an ensemble that has made its name as custodian of Dutch song culture!

Let us open with a quote from the ensemble’s biography: “Poetry in the 16th and 17th centuries was usually set to popular melodies and was, therefore, sung! This compositional approach was practiced by famous poets such as Hooft, Bredero and Cats as well as by uneducated soldiers and sailors. Camerata Trajectina has had years of expertise in researching the source melodies underlying these texts. Its arrangements are based on musicological research and historically appropriate improvisations.”

In a culture where just about everyone sang or played an instrument, the indication “To the tune of…” over the text told them which melody to use. Musicians reused the top hits, both Dutch and from elsewhere in Europe, as the blueprint upon which to set new texts.

Camerata Trajectina play classics of the 17th century in our own arrangements and improvisations, recycling famous melodies, madrigals, songs and harmonies. Imagine a jukebox from 1634; which hits are in the top 40? Throw in a sixpence and choose between Flow my tears, Amarilli mia bella, Greensleeves, Est-ce Mars or Onder de linde groen.

---

Hand numbered limited edition of 1000 copies.