The Donkey’s Crown

n cooperation with the exhibition “Animalistic!” at Musikmuseum Basel (running from October 22, 2021 until August 27, 2023), ReRenaissance will offer a concert program built around the wide array of animals appearing in music of the Renaissance. Next to Michel Beheim’s song “Animals & Creatures,” in which an animal council complains that musicians make instruments out of them (!), instrumental pieces owing their titles to animals from the Glogauer Liederbuch are presented, such as “Peacock’s Tail,” “Rat’s Tail,” “Cat’s Paw” and “Donkey’s Crown.” In addition, ensemble ricercare by such well-known composers as Heinrich Isaac will be performed (“The Dog”), as well as all kinds of songs in which animals play the main roles. This is a concert to neigh, bleat, bark or chirp!

Frithjof Smith – cornett | Marc Lewon – voice, lute, viola d’arco | voice, harp or lute | Caroline Ritchie – bass viol | Catherine Motuz – trombone; conductor