The virginal, a member of the harpsichord family, likely came into use around 1400 and can be seen as a mechanical development of the medieval psaltery.
Instruments
The hurdy-gurdy, a medieval instrument related to the Swedish keyed fiddle, arrived in Europe around the 12th century, possibly via Moorish Spain, but later lost its social prestige.
Instruments
The lute, derived from the Arabic 'al 'ud', came to Europe during the Middle Ages under Arabic-Islamic cultural influence and had a similar social role in the late 16th and 17th centuries as the piano in the 19th and 20th.
Performer Biography
The Joculatores Upsalienses, or Upsala Jesters, started in 1965 as a spare-time venture and now include members from diverse professions like astronomy, chemistry, and computer science, all united by their love for old music.
Interpretation
Early composers often left instrumentation to the discretion of performers, a liberty the Joculatores Upsalienses embrace to add to the wealth of interpretations.
Historical Context
The music on this album spans from about A.D. 1200 to the early 17th century, covering the Middle Ages, Renaissance, and early Baroque periods.
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