Richard and Elizabeth York

Contact:  Richard or Elizabeth York

www.richard-york.co.uk

richard@richard-york.co.uk

01604 639581

Heritage Work

Elizabeth and Richard together offer their amazing array of period style instruments, from the hurdy-gurdy and bagpipes of the street to Elizabeth’s Arpa Doppia, the Venetian Double harp of higher society, and many more (see below). There are opportunities for audience members to join in and make both great and quiet consorts of musick. Explanations, anecdotes, and stories join with songs and dances which are both enjoyable in their own right, and illuminate the period. As with other periods, we work outdoors, with use of appropriate tents, or indoors, as in the grand setting of the Raphael Gallery at the V&A Museum

Richard also makes solo presentations, with a broadly similar approach, but no duet arrangements or songs from Elizabeth, and less harps.

Tudor Instruments: We are able to continue using most of our medieval instruments (See the list there); the harps now include the Double Harp, there's a greater range of recorders, the bass curtal comes in,  also the rauschpfeife, the renaissance guitar, and cittern; no longer the portative organ, and the pattern of bagpipes shifts to include Flemish great pipes & the tiny hummelchen. Elizabeth's voice is still much in demand. Again, the music is specific to the era. (And still no bowed psaltery!!)

Richard works in schools and museums, mainly with Key Stage 2 children. He brings an astonishing amount of instruments, both for performance and participation use, together with songs, dances, and drama.

 Workshop sessions vary from one hour, or half day, “guided tours” to whole day sessions culminating in  spectacular performances to parents/others with everyone singing, dancing, and playing.

Gentry and common life are among many aspects of Tudor life to be highlighted. Ofsted inspectors have viewed Richard's work, 9 times so far, and expressed approval.