Graies Inne Maske
is a tune thought to be written early in the 17th century for performance at masques held at Gray's Inn. The Honourable Society of Gray's Inn, commonly known as Gray's Inn, is one of the four Inns of Court (professional associations for barristers and judges) in London.
Gray’s Inn was famed in the 16th and early 17th century for parties and festivals. Students performed masques and plays at court weddings and even in front of Queen Elizabeth I. At Christmas the students ruled the inn for a day, appointing a ‘Lord of Misrule’. William Shakespeare performed at the inn at least once.
image courtesy of brianjonesimages.com
The main melody on this track is played on the nyckelharpa - a traditional Swedish instrument that is played with a bow and uses keys to fret stings. It is played by Clare Salaman, an early music and folk specialist.
For this track Simon McKechnie asked Clare to play through the song a few times in whichever way felt right for her. He then put the arrangement together around this recorded performance.
Clare also played on Azul's (the jazz group Simon McKechnie used to run) CD 'Beautiful People'; and Simon has written for the early music group, 'The Society of Strange and Ancient Instruments' that features Clare.
to go to Clare's website.
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