About
Le
Basile
Le
Basile
is a group of talented young musicians specialising in music of the 13th,
14th and 15th centuries who met during their
studies in the Medieval Department of the prestigious Schola Cantorum in
Basel, Switzerland. The group takes its name from a piece by Solage in
the Chantilly Codex (a 14th century music manuscript); le
basile is French for basilisk and is also the basis for the name
Basel – the group’s town of origin. The group performs throughout
Europe and is a regular visitor to the Brighton Early Music Festival.
Concerts are presented on copies of medieval and early Renaissance
instruments and the members strive to introduce this ‘little heard’
music to audiences through innovative, informative and entertaining
performances. Recent recitals and workshops in Germany, Switzerland and
the UK have received excellent reviews.
Le
Basile
believes that medieval music can only thrive within a performing
context. It therefore tries to create immediacy in concerts, drawing
the audience into an authentic human experience rather than treating the
music as abstract art. The group always tries to integrate thought and
research into its preparation; playing from original manuscripts and old
notation where possible, and initiating educational projects on all
levels. It also enjoys collaborating on projects with living composers
and has commissioned works from Elizabeth Walling and Patrick Harrex.
The
directors of the group, Katharine Hawnt and Uri Smilansky, both now live
in Salisbury. Other members of
the group are dotted around Switzerland, Germany and the UK and meet
regularly in either London or Basel for rehearsals and concerts.
