BEOWULF: Hurdy-Gurdy & Theremin

Рет қаралды 497,279

15 жыл бұрын

This is a short excerpt from the 8th century epic tale of BEOWULF. The instrument I am using to accompany myself is called a hurdy-gurdy , a popular instrument of medieval Europe. The hurdy-gurdy in this video was made for me by Alden and Cali Hackmann of Olympic Musical Instruments in Indianola, Washington, and is a fully equipped electro-acoustic instrument with a built-in sound console.
Hurdy-gurdy players, like bagpipe players, cannot control the volume of their instruments which makes it difficult to use for accompanying the human voice but the intensity and sheer volume of the instrument also made it ideal for great halls and public places in ancient times. One advantage that it has is that it is a complete instrument, able to play melody, harmony and rhythm.
The hurdy-gurdy in this video is plugged into an RSP Technologies Intelliverb processor which I control with a MIDI Ground Control foot switch. The only other instrument used in this video is a Moog Ethervox theremin.
The original Beowulf epic was written in Old English which is no longer spoken and cannot be understood by English speakers today. I used a modern adaptation of the words for this video. For anyone who is interested, I have posted the text to my website, along with some closeup photos of the hurdy-gurdy. You can also hear a stereo mp3 of the song just as it was performed, without the KZfaq distortion.
www.PeterPringle.com

Пікірлер: 570

@winstonknowitall4181 4 жыл бұрын

Please stop complaining about recording quality! Remember this recording is 1200 years old. It's miracle it even survived.

@Dabarda 3 жыл бұрын

lol

@talonsoftheraven6693 2 жыл бұрын

I Agree, Some of my favourite musical pieces ever were recorded poorly but its not the sound quality that counts its the Soul of the Music that is paramount ! And this Sounds Enchanting , Unbridled and well Preformed ,Magical in Every Way! Peter Take A Bow!

@philipedwards9129 Жыл бұрын

Totally agree. Without Peter where would so much music be.

@eleanorsopwith9806 Жыл бұрын

Lol

@Mormodes 13 жыл бұрын

When my kids ask for a bedtime story, this is what I will do for them.

@Tiger74147 3 жыл бұрын

Fantastic nightmares!

@laurinbittner398 3 жыл бұрын

Do you have kids now? Its been 10 years haha

@sasquatchdonut2674 3 жыл бұрын

Tells a story about a monster getting his arm torn off

@laurinbittner398 3 жыл бұрын

@@sasquatchdonut2674 *replays the story with the kids for full experience*

@javierandres9346 2 жыл бұрын

@@sasquatchdonut2674 His kids are going going to be kings, not weaklings

@hectorperez883 2 жыл бұрын

And Beowulf came into the place Where giant Grendel stood, of twisted face. And strewn upon a beach as black as coal The whitened bones of warriors of old. Many had come, and many here had died, Still, “I am Beowulf of the Goths!” he cried. But poisoned silence filled the air with dread Where shadow-walkers feasted on the dead. And Beowulf slew the fiend with mighty hand And cast its severed head upon the sand. A mournful cry came up from caverns deep, The demon’s mother wakened from her sleep. The Queen of Darkness, mistress of the night, Beguiler of men and enemy of light, She sang a song of sorrow in her den And swore revenge on all the sons of men

@alicemorrison1518 3 жыл бұрын

I am 100% ready to pay good money to listen to a full version rendered on this level.

@midasmirto7265 3 жыл бұрын

Texti: Og Beowulf kom á staðinn Þar sem risinn Grendel stóð með snúið andlit Og stráð á ströndina svarta eins og kol Hvíta bein kappa forðum Margir voru komnir og margir hér höfðu látist Enn ég er Beowulf af Gotunum grét hann En eitruð þögn fyllti loftið með ótta Þar sem skuggagöngumenn veisla dauðum Og Beowulf drap fjandann með voldugri hendi Og kastaðu afskorinni hendi sinni á sandinn Dauðans grátur kom upp úr djúpum hellisins Móðir púkans vaknaði af svefni Drottning myrkurs húsmóður næturinnar Rofari manna og óvinur ljóssins Hún söng sorgarsöng í holunni sinni Og sór hefnd á alla mannanna syni

@hamstsorkxxor Жыл бұрын

That's eerily close to modern swedish (and probably closer still to Icelandic!) I can actually easily read it!

@wilhelmseleorningcniht9410 Жыл бұрын

@@hamstsorkxxor I think that is Icelandic actually

@childish_xambino7701 Жыл бұрын

@@wilhelmseleorningcniht9410 linguist here, Beowulf was written in Old English, and while it’s still English, at the time the alphabet was very much similar to the Norse alphabet at the time, and much of the Old Norse alphabet lives on today in Norwegian and Icelandic!

@wilhelmseleorningcniht9410 Жыл бұрын

@@childish_xambino7701 ah you're misunderstanding me then. I know Beowulf is in Old English, but what the original comment contains isn't Old English but some other language like Icelandic. Especially for short comment chains, you ought to read the context before replying willy-nilly. it was specifically the bit from the one commenting underneath it "That's eerily close to modern swedish (and probably closer still to Icelandic" This person had clearly misunderstood what language the original comment was in, considering that it *is* Icelandic. You can tell it's Icelandic by words like 'og' (instead of and/ond), 'drottning' (the drottinn part is cognate with Dryhten in Old English), 'myrkur' (instead of something more like myrce/mirce, or just deorc), or just the simple fact that Old English isn't written with umlauts, in fact the vowel similar to that had already unrounded by that point in time.

@childish_xambino7701 Жыл бұрын

@@wilhelmseleorningcniht9410 ah indeed I was, thanks for clearing it up. It was pretty late here when I wrote that so I think perhaps my brain was not working as well as it was supposed to.

@emdotambient 10 жыл бұрын

Incredible job. But I'd definitely love to hear it in the original Old English. A friend's wife used to recite Old English when I had them over for parties. It's beautiful and mysterious, feeling so familiar yet so alien at the same time.

@Dusterik-Paranormal 9 жыл бұрын

I'm such a fan of this man. He has an exquisite voice and his skill on so many musical instruments is amazing.

@lkmjin Жыл бұрын

Hello, time to revisit this masterpiece

@fedinhorax 13 жыл бұрын

this is soooo cool. my hairs stand up on the back of my neck. i can really feel the medieval soul this song has

@AdamWhistle1 4 жыл бұрын

If you ever feel crazy enough to make an entire album of the musical retelling, I'd buy it.

@couchking1 4 жыл бұрын

Modern day bard... I feel the energy from each and every one of your songs, and they are amazing. You are truly in touch with the magic from the days of old.

@RichardAlaskanforaPassing 11 ай бұрын

Cool how the Theremin almost sounds like her song of anger and agony

@crowamonghens 8 жыл бұрын

l recently listened to this while traversing the countryside of Wiltshire, England on a sunny, blustery autumn day. It was fabulous.

@kerrykrishna 13 жыл бұрын

This dude is THE most kick ass Hurdy Gurdy player I have ever seen. Breathtaking stuff. What a voice too...

@OMSHANTISHANTISHANTIHI 8 жыл бұрын

You have to upload this again in better quality :D Love it!

@matthewnelson6103 7 жыл бұрын

There is a download link on his site to a higher quality mp3 version. Here is the direct link to the page as his site is kinda broke right now. www.peterpringle.com/Hurdy-Gurdy.html

@theonlycatonice 4 жыл бұрын

@@matthewnelson6103 LEGEND!

@legionpuppy9141 3 жыл бұрын

@@matthewnelson6103 That version seems to have been taken down, does anyone have the high quality one saved?

@renzo6490 2 жыл бұрын

@@matthewnelson6103 The link leads to...nothing.

@lolhelios 2 жыл бұрын

@@legionpuppy9141 ya I have

@MrKanjudi 3 жыл бұрын

Dear Sir Peter Pringle , you are exceptional and amazing... bless you

@mentalcompassno1 4 жыл бұрын

The most musiically talented man I ever heard.

@SpiritSinger 13 жыл бұрын

it truly is a shame this form of song is no longer popular...in my opinion it is far more beautiful than todays form of music.

@ahmedadham5492 3 жыл бұрын

I listened it while smoking weed! It was so amazing.

@longtermcareexperiences-bi5685 3 жыл бұрын

You don't need weed or any other experience enhancing drugs to tap into these feelings, just release your tension and open your self up to any feelings that might arise d

@Amfortas 8 жыл бұрын

Imagine sat a round a fire with your fellows, the only sound a crackling fire, the cold air drafting through the large doors and windows of your longhouse, the smell of roast pork and this- ringing out and enrapturing your imagination. What an experience it must have been...

@frankfrankfrankfrankfrank 8 жыл бұрын

Wuldor Hahahahaha why are you so mad hahahaha

@themischeifguide 7 жыл бұрын

Yo thats some seriously good imagery

@imjohnfreeman 7 жыл бұрын

i would be wondering why the doors and windows are open if there's a draft

@inspectorjavert8443 7 жыл бұрын

Of course there might be bird droppings from the eves but we's ignore that :D

@omerfurtun4115 7 жыл бұрын

Suddenly a white furred troll taller than three stacked up oxen, bursts wide open through the large double doors, releasing in the furious frozen wind along with which the rancid odor of the creature also hits the hall. With it's tremendous strength, it seemingly effortlessly throws the torso of a half-eaten maiden that comes crashing on the table and tumbles towards the middle, spewing blood and organs all over... Roll for initiative!

@templatemusic 3 жыл бұрын

Centuries from now, when people ask "what was KZfaq and what was it for?", we will play them this.

@jari2018 3 жыл бұрын

and tell the tale about how youtube were conquered by a hostile entity and how this entity changed youtube to a us corporate style for a channel which is a joke for all outside us

@rockroll6332 2 жыл бұрын

Hello Mr.Mills 👋🏻 Coincidently (😏)i am rockin' the hell out of Ayreon's "The day that the World breaks down" Your 01-part was beyond believe and it is absolutely no wonder to find a singer like yourself in this area of youtube. Mr.Pringles late work is so precious to one's soul and must be preserved for the younger folks for inspiration! Wish you all the best with your music and god bless you! Greetz from Bonn/Germany 👋🏻🌞🕊

@RezBabe 9 жыл бұрын

This music transports me to the ancient world! It is haunting and mystical and I have listened it many many times already. ...it presses all the ancient genetic buttons and more so one's 'Heart'...amazing.

@joshou3759 4 жыл бұрын

*medieval Im sorry

@sergeytoropin6428 Жыл бұрын

Re record this in HD quality, and this would be a huge hit!

@SilvieFicova 4 жыл бұрын

Although it may sound pathetic, I literally feel my heart when you sing ... is it too stupid to write ? But no help - it's true ! ... I will never forget the first moment I heard you sing. It was that incredible egyptian love song ...

@dwvcollection 3 жыл бұрын

i totally understand you, this man has an enchanting voice that even after some time, i keep coming back to hear the songs ive heard countless times before. Its almost like he's got a spirit from said era possessing him in every song.

@slayerslayer7623 3 жыл бұрын

It is not pathetic to feel emotions. It is a shame that some people follow this idea that men must be stoic, unshakable, and unfeeling. No one achieves that, and even if they did, who would want that kind of life? What if life without emotion? What is life without crying? What is life if you keep it all in a bottle that you never open until it bursts by itself and someone gets hurt. Do not live a life like that, a life of no feelings. Feel.

@ulisesfuentes3617 3 жыл бұрын

I heard him for the first time singing The Epic Of Gilgamesh In Sumerian, his voice is really overwhelming.

@SP_3333 2 жыл бұрын

Yes. I felt the same way. His voice & talent are unmatched imho. The Egyptian Love Song…I really have no words.

@TheKarret Жыл бұрын

I first heard one of the songs of Gilgamesh and yeah, it caught me, though that Greek one where he talks about the Kithara, like.. oh m'lord, I want more of that! XD But yes, his voice is hypnotizing.

@Skypad00 7 жыл бұрын

I love how the Theremin, a super soviet instrument, blends so well with a medieval European instrument. The music in this video also reminds me of Middle Eastern music.

@BobyChanMan 7 жыл бұрын

it shows how we're all not so different

@partytor11 7 жыл бұрын

Skypad00 The black notes on the Hurdy Gurdy were added during the crusades so it is very likely inspired by Middle Eastern music!

@Skypad00 7 жыл бұрын

That's very interesting indeed!

@BobyChanMan 4 жыл бұрын

Fuck inferior ugly usa we all enjoy a good song though

@lordhelmit1499 4 жыл бұрын

@Fuck inferior ugly usa Slightly, but not really. We're all largely the same.

@sandramorey2529 3 жыл бұрын

I remember trying to make sense of this epic poem when I read it in the 10th grade. I failed at it. Ewan MacCall once said that these ballads required an audience that was intelligent and persistent. The ballads require as much from the listener as from the performer. Thank you

@MossyMozart 3 жыл бұрын

I had no idea that there were such complex instruments in Medieval Europe. (Of course, I'm discounting the electronic component and the theremin.) Thank you, Mr Pringle.

@ssilvie 2 жыл бұрын

The Hurdy-gurdy hits a spot very deep in the soul...

@crazyirishdan 7 жыл бұрын

Eddie Van Halen's old guitar tech introduced me to this, & I have been listening to it for five years now. Worthy stuff...

@Levy1111 13 жыл бұрын

The Queen of Darkness, mistress of the night, Beguiler of men and enemy of light, She sang a song of sorrow in her den And swore revenge on all the sons of men.

@opalfenwick3953 2 жыл бұрын

O. MY GOSH. Beowulf AND Hurdy Gurdy? Beowulf IN Hurdy Gurdy??? I was not aware people this epic still existed. :,)

@qwertyuoip 28 күн бұрын

This is one of the best things I have ever heard in both textural and musical aspect

@humanbeing20118 3 жыл бұрын

He needs more recognition for his unique talent.

@FalloutGenius1 3 жыл бұрын

Telling an ancient story on a hurdy gurdy is badass, but then this mans right here whips out an epic theramin solo

@SuperStack01 12 жыл бұрын

I was mesmerized when I first viewed this video. Magnificent! When I thought it couldn't get any better, I realized that you were using the Theremin as the Demon-Mother's voice. Pure genius! Thank you.

@randifishenfeld 9 жыл бұрын

BREATHTAKINGLY BEAUTIFUL

@baudelliocharles1318 6 жыл бұрын

Randi Fishenfeld I agree it just needs death vocals to be more badass

@Hidingtheproblem 9 жыл бұрын

My husband is building a theramin for himself (he loves it) and I have been saving up forever for a hurdy gurdy....this made me so happy to see them both together.

@TheFlutePhantom 9 жыл бұрын

This is one of the best songs on youtube!! Pure magic :-)

@mrsmoothivpositive2178 7 жыл бұрын

I cried when I first heard this. Not only because the hypnotic feel enchants and stirs the soul and the poetry reads like melting butter over a beer marinated voice. But the connection I felt to my ancestors and my culture made me choke up and forced tears to stream down my cheeks. English culture is now somewhat repressed and ignored nowadays, (in England) and I had never heard or was aware of anything like this. So yeah, when I first heard it, I finally felt like I belonged to something, it was beautiful.

@Maergensargoth 14 жыл бұрын

The sound of hurdy-gurdy's great, echoing like in a cathedral or a great hall - I feel like I was in a viking's meadhall, listening to a bard. Due to men like these, the Medieval Era lives on! Eargasmic music.

@rockroll6332 2 жыл бұрын

I can feel the sorrow of the demons mother.......incredible piece of art ...thanks for sharing Maestro, chapeau 😱

@bullwinkle8266 3 жыл бұрын

It's odd, my sister had to leave the room as I was listening to this song, Gilgamesh, Egyptian Love Song and others. She was not moved by these timeless works. I cannot understand how her heart cannot dance and how her soul is not soothed and energized by this music.

@longtermcareexperiences-bi5685 3 жыл бұрын

There are some poor souls who have lost contact with their emotions. Sometimes that can be as a result of deep trauma experienced early in this life or in a previous life.

@genericlegionaryrecruit7235 3 жыл бұрын

w*man moment

@syahdwesaprawasa 3 жыл бұрын

shes crying outside, duh. its just embarrasing to be found out crying when hearing this such emotion.

@prometheus9096 3 жыл бұрын

Because something old or ancient = good.... Don't get me wrong i am interested in the lyrics but the way he sings and the sound of the instruments are mostly urgh... And to be honest, most of the songs aren't "deeply" moving. Take the Egyptian love song for e.g. it is very plain and simple and actually nothing special, its basically a "Oh you are so sexy woman" - generic love song.

@thedemonhater7748 3 жыл бұрын

Personally, I get it; this is still archaic music that most people don't listen to

@chachamalone 15 жыл бұрын

If there is a time machine, it is in this music performed by this man in this piece.

@Czarewich 14 жыл бұрын

The two strangest instruments in the world make for a beautiful combination.

@dannymckenzie8329 2 жыл бұрын

I actually love this channel

@teejohnson8720 9 ай бұрын

I've listened to alot of Peter Pringle's covers in different languages, so it threw me off to hear something in English. I'm like, "what language is this???"😂 You do great work Peter!!

@jollyboris7420 5 жыл бұрын

Only 1090s kids will remember this, old but gold.

@BeowulfKingsley 9 жыл бұрын

This is fantastic. I would have you in my hall to play for the feast anytime.

@jgdpanzer 14 жыл бұрын

You know, I keep coming back to this one. Very nice.

@genevievemeuniere4047 8 жыл бұрын

just wonderful!

@Zengetsu.. 4 жыл бұрын

Master Bard 🙏🙌

@DavidMGarens 11 жыл бұрын

Very cool indeed. The monster's mama sings with the theramin.

@amphionification 8 жыл бұрын

This is unbelievably beautiful. I stumbled upon this and am so glad I did.

@DragonsxStar 4 жыл бұрын

I cried. Beautiful ❤

9 жыл бұрын

Ultracool! Thanks for sharing this!

@joalexsg9741 6 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for uploading this here!

@MaricaAmbrosius 14 жыл бұрын

Amazing! I love it. Thank you so much for posting this!

@eohaver2 9 жыл бұрын

Exquisite! Breathtaking.

@MoiDixMois01 10 жыл бұрын

I get crazy goose bumps and chills throughout my body every time I listen to this!

@ggleetkat 10 жыл бұрын

Song for a great escape! Thank you!

@christineb6050 10 жыл бұрын

How beautiful - thank you for sharing!

@AlComandante 13 жыл бұрын

This is just wonderful. I want a hurdy-gurdy to tell Epic stories and "cantigas" to my close ones. I would save a lot of money on movies and drama plays.

@Neomameo 13 жыл бұрын

OH MY GOD! WE ARE ALL DOOMED! THE HURDY GURDY IS ACTIVATED!!!!! AHHHH

@deathismyown 6 жыл бұрын

I keep coming back to this. What a beautiful performance!

@Yup712 6 жыл бұрын

Just awesome!!!

@tHeWasTeDYouTh 7 жыл бұрын

I LOVE THIS!!!!! the sound is amazing!!!!

@velvetclaw2316 10 жыл бұрын

Magnificent .. one of my favourite things on KZfaq

@willshaman2128 4 жыл бұрын

Fabulous! What a treasure you bring. Thank you.

@driftwoodbeech 15 жыл бұрын

Totally AMAZING!!

@fredaltensee363 8 жыл бұрын

Totally awesome.

@CanterFanatic 14 жыл бұрын

This is one of the coolest things I've ever seen and heard! Put up more videos like this!!! You're an epic bard!

@chuckrobert 13 жыл бұрын

Beautiful!

@ekerhulas 13 жыл бұрын

Beautiful! Mystical.

@baldF 4 жыл бұрын

Wow! That's wonderful!

@swissroll55 14 жыл бұрын

Beautiful.

@honeycomb1151 6 жыл бұрын

Love this one! Love, love, love!

@Chr.U.Cas2216 6 жыл бұрын

Simply fantastic!

@mikereilly7629 3 жыл бұрын

This is priceless.He is keeping the ancient oral traditions alive.These songs connect us to our past.considering the headlong flight into the future we are now in;We need this atavistic link, cause the truth of our past is being erased to make way for it

@LizaPeninon 10 жыл бұрын

OH my God this is magnificent !!! Thanks ask for explaining everything it's very interesting ! I love it ! Liza

@DanielSabzghabaei 13 жыл бұрын

Man, this is seriously awesome! Both musicians are awesome! I am very impressed.

@TansieStephens 5 жыл бұрын

Mesmerizing!

@nicholascarey9705 5 жыл бұрын

This is truly magnificent. Mr. Pringle you are a treasure for bringing us these beautiful songs from ancient times....

@kejsarmakten 5 жыл бұрын

😍 so glad I found this. Fantastic rendition.

@mrcrumbles 14 жыл бұрын

Thats one of the most haunting things I've ever heard. Magnificent.

@Adastra14 14 жыл бұрын

mesmerizing . this was beautiful

@dinkum93 12 жыл бұрын

Absolutely beautiful.

@SongsFromTheOth 11 жыл бұрын

Wonderful - fantastic and totally complimentary use of early and modern musical instruments

@nigel900 5 жыл бұрын

Absolutely awesome!

@meetdiamond 13 жыл бұрын

every since I stumbled upon this video, I have to watch it at least once a week. love it!

@hippojuice23 14 жыл бұрын

Yes I agree...FANTASTIC!

@TheSalt666 4 жыл бұрын

This is still one of my favourite videos on the internet. So epic.

@vayasaberlo8 4 жыл бұрын

FASCINATING!

@ericcongdon 12 жыл бұрын

That was so cool! You guys rock, so heavy. Loved it.

@thevirtualreviewchannel 2 жыл бұрын

Love it!

@deewesthill1358 2 жыл бұрын

What a beautiful fascinating sound!!!

@DaveonLI 14 жыл бұрын

Beautiful work. This is truly what makes people want to explore both Beowulf and works played on this ancient instrument.

@Myrrhth 11 жыл бұрын

Extraordinary. Absolutely extraordinary!

@ericwhollem 6 жыл бұрын

positively stunning!!!

@potent_rei 6 жыл бұрын

Great videos mister!! Thank you so much!!

@wmcmick 8 жыл бұрын

This is fantastic!

@naranara1690 6 жыл бұрын

Currently rereading this classic. So awesome!

@scurrie42 13 жыл бұрын

Just...hypnotic...amazing