Looping Through Time

Looping Through Time shows Medieval & Renaissance music and instruments in a new light, combining the sounds of the past with the technology of the present. Playing historical melodies on ancient instruments including recorders, chalumeau, sordune, bagpipes and percussion as well as vocals, Lizzie Gutteridge has made her own unique arrangements based on the premise of 'what might a person from the period when this tune was written have done with this technology, had they had the chance?'

Although the music and instruments will be briefly introduced and explained between pieces, the emphasis is on the music's own ability to intrigue, enlighten and entertain: When a five-part consort piece by Holborne is put together one part at a time, it can allow the modern audience a chance to notice elements of the interplay between parts which might otherwise pass them by, as each layer changes the perspective on both rhythm and harmony.

A 2-part Ductia from the 13th century can be gradually layered up in 4 or more parts, throwing light on the relationships between different sections of the music by playing them against each other. This show introduces period instrument music to new audiences as well as giving current fans a new way to experience something familiar.

Lizzie Gutteridge took up playing the shawm as a part of the historical re-enactment movement to re-form Waits bands throughout the country, then decided to pursue it further and make it her main occupation. She plays a wide range of historical instruments, including bagpipes, recorders, curtals and fiddles.

Lizzie now performs up and down the country, in and out of historical costume, including as a member of Blondel and The York Waits. Freelance engagements have included the Globe's 'Nell Gwynn', both on tour and in the West End; 'The Knight of the Burning Pestle' at the Wanamaker Theatre; performances in Morocco and London with Passamezzo; large-scale events at Hampton Court and the Tower of London; as well as TV appearances on 'Thronecast – Gameshow of Thrones' and 'A Merry Tudor Christmas with Lucy Worsley' and live & recorded performances on bagpipes of Gregory Rose’s 'Dance Macabre'.

When she’s not performing, Lizzie also makes reeds for Renaissance instruments, including shawms, curtals and crumhorns, and teaches both in schools and around the country, where her workshops and taster sessions are in increasing demand. Back home in Essex, she runs The Colchester Waits, an ever-expanding amateur shawm band for all comers which currently consists of about 16 enthusiastic players of Renaissance wind music with musical backgrounds ranging from pop and folk to classical... or none at all!

Looping Through Time is also available as an album either on CD or as a download via Bandcamp.