Walther von der Vogelweide - Courtly Song of the Middle Ages

With concerts, a blog and a documentary film, we illuminate the life and work of one of the most important minnesingers: Walther von der Vogelweide (ca. 1170 - ca. 1230) Official release date: May 5, 2023

Extensive collections of his texts survived and were widely propogated over a period of 400 years after his death, but only a few melodies and hardly any historical sources on his life. Walther traveled as an itinerant singer in Austria, Germany (including Passau and Würzburg) and South Tyrol, performing his art at the most influential courts of his time. In his critical lyrics, he provocatively exhorts kings and popes to act honorably. In his Minnelyrik, he formulated a new Minneideal and turned the courtly etiquette that had been praised until then on its head.

For the musical realization, EPM has engaged two instrumentalists, both trained at the Schola Cantorum Basel: Félix Verry (fiddle) and Vincent Kibildis (harp). Anne Azéma, director of the Boston Camerata and known for her interpretations of early French chanson, also contributes her expertise. On the basis of the latest research, they, together with director and singer Joel Frederiksen, are reworking the melodies of the Trobadors and Trouvères according to "Walther's method", fitting them to his song texts.

Through blogs, concerts, a CD, and a documentary film, the project explores the life of this unique medieval artist through a variety of contemporary media.

BLOG: Walther von der Vogelweide

Musicians: Joel Frederiksen - voice, citole, direction | Anne Azéma - voice | Félix Verry - fidel | Vincent Kibildis - harp

Mit freundlicher Unterstützung durch „Klangwert – Aventis Foundation Ensemble-Förderung“

Félix Verry - fidel | Joel Frederiksen - voice, citole, direction | Anne Azéma - voice | Vincent Kibildis - harp (Foto: Gregory Wang)