Skillywidden - April 21, 2006
"Hello Cantiga!
I was playing around on my computer the other day and googled my cat's name just for fun, and ended up buying your "Martha's Dragon" album. It's wonderful. This is our dear kitty Skillywidden."
"Imagine my surprise when I found out she has her own tune! We were entranced. It's so sweet, and really is rather like a cat (my cat!) ambling about exploring in the grass and hunting up bugs real and imaginary. I ended up tracking the tune down and bought the whole album on iTunes before I found your website. Your music reminds me of the good old days at the Renaissance Pleasure Faire in Novato, Ca. years ago. What fun. I'm so glad I have found you and your music, and just thought that since you have shared your "Skilly", I'd share my Skilly with you too."
Thanks!
Sláinte! – Jennifer Capra
You can listen to our tune "Skillywidden" HERE
Michelle's Weblog: Reflections of a New Rennie - October 1, 2005
October, 2005
The Audition
Two hours before we had to leave for our big Cirque du Soleil audition, we still hadn't decided what to play. It had been 3 months since we had all played together as a group, and Charry, Martha, Bob and I had not been all together for a month until that weekend. With the exception of Max and Charry, we had just barely gotten off the road in time for TRF after a marathon of driving through most of the US (me from MA and Bob from PA), with just enough time to set up camp before a busy weekend in almost unbearably HOT weather conditions. And to top it all off, we mourned the fact Jamal could not audition with us that day. It seemed to be the worst possible time for an audition.
Everyone was calm, although there was an intensity between us that affected every word we spoke and every note we made. Criticisms were delivered tersely and decisions were reached quickly. I wasn't happy with one of the songs we had chosen-- I didn't have the melody completely under my fingers and had to think more than usual about the notes. But as we jammed on the tune, it became clear to all of us that although perhaps the music would not be perfect, there was a freshness and an energy that could not have emerged had we all been rehearsing it into the ground. The music was wild, unpredictable, hovering dangerously between success and failure. Anything could happen, and that's how we wanted it.
And the strangest thing happened, something that had never happened to me before at an audition; I had a darn fun time. Claude, the Cirque du Soleil Music Director was absolutely beaming as we ripped into "Martha's Dragon"! Casting Director Rick took us aside afterwards and said "OK guys, you're in". Max and Jamal also auditioned separately, as soloists for the sub list, and they're in too! Special Events... It turns out this is incredible glitzy parties in Montreal which Cirque du Soleil is hired to entertain. Wow- I can imagine us at a Winter Olympics gala in amazing Cirque du Soleil costumes- surrounded by acrobats and jugglers- maybe a fire eater! Of course, they haven't promised us anything yet. But we'll see...
more... go to "Michelle's Weblog" .
a sweet note from a friend.. - August 10, 2005
"I visit Sterling every year to experience Cantiga. This year was the best by far. I didn't think anyone could stand in for my favorite fiddler, but Michelle stole the show without upstaging the rest of the band. She is supreme!
"Martha's Dragon" is a magnificent CD. Fine work!
I am your most bashful fan. See you next year!"
Janet
New World Renaissance Band Concert - June 17, 2005
"This was without a doubt the most fun and relaxing two hours that I have spent at school this semester. I think I can make it through finals now."
"I really didn't know what to expect. I thought that this was just going to be another one of those boring concerts that teachers make you go to in order to 'expand your mind.' I had no idea that halfway through the concert I'd be singing in a Renaissance sing-along-- and really enjoying myself."
"I'm not just being sentimental, but when the band played that piece by Richard the Lionheart,
"(listen here to Ja Nuns Hons Pris).
I sort of floated backwards with them. I could feel the sadness in his heart. We had studied the story about his capture and being put in prison in Austria-- we had even read a little poem about it-- I had even read about it in my World Civilizations class. What they did was something I never felt in class just reading all the assignments."
"As a Spanish speaker, I was particularly thrilled when the singer began singing a song in Spanish. I know that Renaissance music was in many different languages, but always seeing the literature translated into English gives you the idea that the English somehow own the Renaissance. Tonight, I heard not one, but two songs that proved that my own people had an important place in the whole period. Somehow, I felt like the singer was really singing to me, and I'd really like to say that for the first time some of these things we've been reading make sense."
"To be honest, I only attended the concert because I felt a sense of obligation to be supportive of a colleague (and in order to monitor those students who attended for extra credit). What I carried away with me was an experience that is difficult to measure in words. This group brought to life the music from another age. For the first half hour or so, I sat pleased that so many students were obviously enjoying an art form that they would probably never encounter outside the college. For the last hour and half or so, I realized that I was gaining as much or more than they were."
Cantiga - On The Air! - June 16, 2005
Be sure to listen to Cantiga on "Celtic Sunday Brunch" which features an an all-Cantiga show (with a little New World Renaissance Band mixed in). This exciting two hour program can be heard in on-demand streaming audio if you go to "Celtic Sunday Brunch" hosted by Walt Haake airs Sundays, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Eastern Time.
"Cantiga captures the enchantment and the fun at the same time."
Walt Haake WDVR FM Radio, Sergeantsville, NJ
"I live and work in Shanghai and I often listen to Folk Alley where I first heard your music. Just received the two CDs I ordered, 'Once Upon a Time' and Magic Steps'. Absolutely magic, maybe one day you can tour out here in the Far East? Please!"
Frank Dutton, Shanghai CHINA
Cantiga's "Once Upon a Time" is is now featured on Highlander Radio. Please click this link and check the Highlander Radio Weekly Schedule to see when Cantiga will be played. You can also request our music!
Here's another great internet radio station where our CDs "Once Upon a Time" and "Martha's Dragon" are both current favorites: Radioio Acoustic. Check it out!
You can also hear Cantiga on RenRadio, National Public Radio, Classical Ambience and Light Classical Dish Network Channel 972 Cable music stations, on Sirius Satellite Radio and ocassionally on "Classic Drive" with Julia Lester Sydney and Melbourne, Australia, broadcast 4.05-7.00 pm weekdays in streaming audio.
People from all over have been telling us that Cantiga is being played on Classical Ambience and Light Classical Dish Network Channel 972 so you may hear us playing in a restaraunt or a dentist's office!
"I fell asleep a few times listening to Dish Network cd channel, New Age, and woke up hearing your music".
Don Dunbar, Colorado USA
March 25, 2005
"Your music is just great! I was listening to you on WMNF 88.5 FM and loved every minute of it.
Cantiga rocks!,
Yael"
"I'm listening to you for the first time, right now, live, on WMNF 88.5 FM in Tampa! Heaven! We have tickets for the Festival and now I'm really motivated to make it over there to see and hear you again.
Best wishes for continued safe and enchanted travels.
Peace,
Debbie"
Letter from a Friend - March 11, 2005
Be sure to look at the great pictures Mac took at The Bay Area Ren Fest posted on our Photos page!
"It’s Renfest time in the Tampa Bay area once again. I’m happy to say that my favorite musical group of all time is back after several years’ hiatus-
Cantiga
What a wonderfully refreshing 16th century sound from some highly talented musicians. I’m always spellbound by Charry Garcia when he plays his Charango (a 15-string ukelele-type instrument made from an armadillo shell.) He strums with the dance rhythms of a drummer. Harpist Martha Gay plays a full sounding Dusty Strings harp using a lot of hollow fifths so Celtic and so typical of the era. Martha studied from the great Derek Bell of the Chieftains (I am impressed.) She formed Cantiga back in 1970. And I’m always delighted to hear whistler Bob Bielefeld. Bob recently wrote a Renaissance music book for Mel Bay. Look for it soon at a store near you. This year they have a new fiddler Michelle Levy from Boston who plays Cantiga’s eclectic tunes from an assortment of cultures effortlessly.
I bought all three of their latest albums (already had their first one). If you love refreshing music that will make you tap your foot and take you back in time, buy one of their CDs online.
Hope to see you at Renfest this year . . .
Mac"
It's a BOY! - March 10, 2005
Mark and Holly are proud to announce the birth of Sky Gibson Caudill, born Sat March 5th at 7:58 a.m. weighing in at 7 lbs 10 oz and spanning 19 1/2 inches. Mark says everything's perfect!
Congratulations Mark and Holly!
CD Collaboration with Owain Phyfe! - January 7, 2005
Cantiga teams up again with old friend Owain Phyfe on his new CD project "Lagrimas de Sangria" - a collection of Spanish tunes from Mexico, central and South America. Charry Garcia made a magnificent contribution to this new CD which will be released later this spring on Nightwatch Recording.
All Cantiga CDs now available on MP3! - December 10, 2004
Cantiga MP3s are available at:
Rhapsody, Napster, Apple iTunes, Weed, EMEPE3, BuyMusic, Music4Cents, MP3tunes, MusicMatch, Etherstream, NetMusic, QTRnote, Puretracks,Viztas, MSN, Emusic, LoudEye, MusicNet, Mperia, OnlinePromo, RuleRadio, DigiPie, WeedFiles, MusicNow, Share NewYork (WeedICP), iSound, PlayIndies.
Hey, don't forget to check out the FREE MP3s of music recorded at our November CD release concert.
Our Newest CD "Martha's Dragon" - October 10, 2004
Cantiga's long awaited 4th CD, "Martha's Dragon" now released and available!
"I must say you've outdone yourselves with "Martha's Dragon." Every CD by
Cantiga and the NWRB has simply captivated me! And the delight grows with
each listening."
Walt Haake
WDVR FM, Sergeantsville, NJ
"Their music is fresh enough to listen to in any setting, yet it gives that warm, old world feeling of times gone by…of loves lost and gained…of celebrations…of the taming of dragons! Martha’s Dragon is history and freshness all wrapped into one beautiful musical package! Bravo! 10 out of 10!
—Jen Lush, Midwestbands.com, 7/31/05
Buy "Martha's Dragon" at CDBaby.com!