At night everything is clearer.
The night brings advice.
Don't let the night escape without you...

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Chasing the night

A unique glimpse into how the kantele was played in Finland in the times of old. Very few, even in Finland, have had a chance to witness the old way where the player played for himself, wrapped in thought, and letting the music take him to uncharted places of inspiration. Time lost all meaning, and nothing could break the connection between the musician and the instrument while his fingers danced on the strings made of horse hair or steel.

The kantele is traditionally an instrument of the lone player, who often dedicated time for playing as night drew close and open flame provided illumination in the corner of a simple wooden dwelling. The other members of the family would take awhile to listen or to tend to their tasks in the household. Children would play, and animals run around nearby, but the concentration of the player remained unbroken until the spell of the music was finally lifted. The player seemed as he was being torn back into this world from somewhere beyond his understanding, like he woke up from a dream.

This is the old way that I, A.T., want to present to you, and I hope I have been able to convey the tradition with the respect it deserves.

Nest - Valkeaa

Medieval Drum Dance
from the album Pye To Go
by Mince Pye
 - get the whole thingy at http://cdbaby.com/mincepye

Joe Matzzie - Guitar
Erika Lieberman - Harp and Bodhran
Michael Johannsen - Hammered Dulcimer
John Cordes - Violin

Medieval Drum Dance

Dance Around the Fire

A part of the last track from the album "Ór Ymis Holdi"
https://gaetirthemountainkeeper.bandcamp.com
https://www.facebook.com/gaetirthemountainkeeper

Útgarðr

Track 7 from the new album SVERKER of CORVUS CORAX
"Lá ì mBealtaine" - Gaelic (Old Orish), early 12th century

07 Lá í m Bealtaine

Danheim Hrungnir

Track from the album "Venus Vina Musica" (2006)

Tuska

From the orchestra pits of Shakespeare plays to costume balls and private parties; from dusty fields to gothic cathedrals, Early Music consort Mince Pye has built a reputation upon their energetic performances, outrageous style, and high-level musicianship. Their eclectic repertoire of Renaissance, Medieval, Celtic, and Middle Eastern Music, together with their unusual instruments and colorful costumes, continue to dazzle audiences of all ages.

Mince Pye was formed in 1995 when Recorder player Scott Long, Percussionist and Hurdy Gurdy player Paul Ash, and Guitarist Joe Matzzie met at the New York Renaissance Festival. They began playing, for sometimes fun and sometimes profit, along with Hammered Dulcimer player Stephen Starensier. The name of the group was established shortly after at a rooftop party in Manhattan where they jokingly told the audience that there would be a prize for whoever could name the group. The only name they got was "Mince Pye".

In 1996, Paul met Hammered Dulcimer player Ken Paulson, and annexed him to Mince Pye. Their first performance together was the Arkivestry Costume Ball at the Angel Orensanz Foundation. Following that Mince Pye proceeded to perform at every event that would have them; Festivals, Shakespeare plays, Weddings, Parades, and Society Events throughout the Northeastern United States, Mince Pye has managed to sell hundreds of copies of their debut album, Renaissance Dance Music, while building a fiercely loyal following.

Then in 1999 Mince Pye went through more personnel changes, when Harpist, Bodhran player Erika Lieberman met the group at the Woodstock Renaissance Festival, where she was performing as a solo act. Erika joined Mince Pye and the group went on to perform even more widely, touring throughout the east coast, playing at The Maryland Renaissance Faire and The Huntington Renaissance Festival.

"What we play is authentic, but I wouldn't call it pure," says guitarist, Joe Matzzie. "To me, the Renaissance was anything but pure. We take what we do very seriously; we do our homework, but just as important is the energy, and the that this music is basically ethnic music."

The loyalty of Mince Pye's fans was exhibited when they played The 1999 New York Medieval Festival in Fort Tryon Park. Explains Joe Matzzie, "After every set the people in the audience would come running up to us and say 'so where's your next set' and we would tell them and they would all be there. They'd follow us all over the faire!"

In August of 2000 they released their second full length album, Pye To Go, along with Fiddle player, John Cordes. Featuring many of the songs that have become hits at their live performances, such as Medieval Drum Dance, Knocknagow, and Brian Boru's March.

Medieval Drum Dance

Mince Pye

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