Ensemble Cantus München: Uprising, Music for the Peasants' War 1525

Cantus München has transformed the historical events of the Peasants' War into a musical program. In 1525, the peasants rose up against the increasingly oppressive burden of taxes and serfdom. Social demands were accompanied by reformist ideas. Cantus München has woven these historical events into a musical program. Four singers and one instrumentalist perform motets, songs, and dance movements by contemporary composers and anonymous masters. For some songs, the demands and experiences of the peasants were set to popular melodies. A similar genre is the tenor song shaped by Ludwig Senfl (circa 1490–1543) and Paul Hofhaymer (1459–1537), which tells stories of love, courtly envy, or amusing events. A third common thread throughout the concert program is contemporary dance music. This "pop music" was played with bagpipes, hand drums, shawms, and flutes. Finally, Latin motets from the "Papal Church" as well as the chorales of the early Protestant movement will be heard. The program concludes with a plea for peace: "Da pacem, Domine" and "Verleih uns Frieden."