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   Music from the era of Elizabeth I

„Do what thou wilt" is the Motto of the hero in Rabelais Novel „Gargantua and Pantagruel". It is also the motto of the Renaissance Ensemble Pantagruel who have just released their debut album „Elizium”.

Sixteenth century England. It is the era of Queen Elisabeth I and William Shakespeare. Francis Bacon founded the modern sciences and Francis Drake has circumvented the globe. London is the cultural capital of the realm, the theatre stages flourished just as the musical culture - John Dowland, Thomas Ravencroft, Edward Johnson or Francis Pilkington were among the most acclaimed composers of their time. But also the so called „Broadside Ballads" were extremely popular, songs that were printed on a single piece of paper, sold for a little coin and spread like wildfire. These poems were sung to popular tunes and also found their way into courtly musical circles.

It is in this era that the trio Pantagruel transport their listeners. Renaissance music of the highest standard, played with Lutes, Cittern und Gittern (Mark Wheeler), flutes und vocals (Dominik Schneider). But in the end what makes it all so thoroughly convincing, is not just the masterfully played instruments, but the pure and crystal clear voice of Hannah Morrison. What they show so superlatively on their debut album “Elizium”, is twice as enjoyable in concert, due to Pantagruels exciting and dramatic semi-staged live presentation.

It is not surprising, that all three members can look back on classical musical training. Flute player Dominik, studied recorder at the Folkwang Musikhochschüle in Essen. “Hannah originally planned to be a concert pianist, but after medical problems with her hands she began to concentrate on the vocal studies”, explains Mark Wheeler. After receiving her BA from the Maastrichter Musikhochschule the daughter of Icelandic and Scottish parents studied with the soprano Barbara Schlick and found further inspiration in various master classes. The lutenist Mark Wheeler originally a huge fan of Led Zeppelin, later turned to classical music. At the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in London he shared a room with the brother of the guitarist of Sisters of Mercy and thus this came in contact with Gothic-Rock. Soon Mark was enjoying success as the guitarist with the Goth-Band Love Like Blood. But a few years later he finally returned to classical music “I was 14 when I first came in contact with Renaissance music, I began to play the music of John Dowland on my electric guitar. It had for me a fantastical quality; it was how I imagined the elven music from Lord of the Rings would sound”.

Even through Pantagruels Album „Elizium" is based in the Elizabethan Era, Pantagruel do not want to limit themselves to the repertoire of a particular country: “The Renaissance began in Italy but enjoyed it’s last flowering in England, making the English Renaissance for us particularly fascinating. We also have Italian and Spanish songs in our repertoire and at the moment we are working on a Scottish programme with some very melancholic songs”. Mark does not have a favourite composer. “Dowland is perhaps the most well-known, but my interest lies in the whole period and I am not interested in picking out individuals

Pantagruels performances are most often to be seen in churches and concert halls. “The concert in Exeter Cathedral was a wonderful experience” recalls Mark when asked about his fondest concert experiences. “Unfortunately the church officials ran off with our takings and we had to run after them in our costumes. But we managed to sort it all out in the end. It was also quite awe-inspiring to play next to Queen Elizabeth I. in the National portrait Gallery”.

That the audience of a Pantagruel concerts often includes members of the gothic and medieval scenes does not surprise them. “Renaissance music is full of melancholy, maybe that is what the Gothic’s find so appealing. In many respects rock music and renaissance music are not so very different, just the volume level” says Mark smirking.

For the future Pantagruel are looking forward to many charming concerts. ”In January we are touring England and then we will begin the preparation of our next CD.” They are also planning a tour of Germany for early next year, perhaps together with other ensembles. But this is not the time or place to divulge the exact details.
S. Lohmann