by Sondra and John Bromka
"The 'passion' of Music History 'beats on' with the talents of 'Bells and Motley'......Sondra and John Bromka are undoubtedly Central NY's finest Performing Historians.... Thank you for another great Concert." - Frank Caputo, commenting on Bells & Motley's "Eve of St. Patrick Day" Performance at Le Moyne College, Syracuse
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Exploring the musical arts of Gaelic kings and commoners with harp, hurdy-gurdy, bagpipes, voices, and much more.
Looking for a meaningful and memorable way to connect medieval music, literature, and languages, and even spark the font of imagination, our Muse?
"Bells & Motley Celtic Consort offer a special concert of early and medieval Gaelic and Celtic music. Ireland has always been the land of poets and fervid musical participations, especially in those mythic days of the early middle ages. How did all this music and poetry come to be? And how does it relate to other medieval musical and poetic traditions? Some ideas we'll explore.... Connections between Minstrels, Bards, Troubadours, and Trouvères-- Is it something about have-harp-will-travel? Or something about bearers of traditions, holding vast memories of an epic past? Or wishful initiates seeking intimacy with the Muse, and her ability to transport them to another place, time, or way of being? Our plan is to draw together these lines of inquiry through myth and manuscript, fact, fiction, and musical storytelling. The concert will span 500 years of early music history and traditions, including a setting by Mr Bromka of that famous Scottish balled of poetic initiation, “Thomas Rhymer and the Queen of Elfland.” “And see ye not that bonny road/ That winds about the fernie brae? That is the road… Where you and I this night maun go.”
More about this concert:
 Sondra on drum |
 Singing Sumer is Icumen In, John playing cittern (which he designed and made) |
 John on "Veuze," Breton Bagpipes |