The Bæbes's first album, Salva Nos (1997), shot straight to No 2 in the classical charts, a silver disc. Subsequent albums include Worldes Blysse (which went straight to No 1), Undrentide, (co-produced by John Cale), The Rose, and the Christmas-themed album Mistletoe & Wine.
Mirabilis (2005), was launched at a concert and party in London, August 2005. A self-titled DVD was released in July 2006. The first 300 preorders were autographed by the band and received a special mention in the DVD credits.
A live album was be released in December 2006 and featured two bonus studio tracks, An Itunes exclusive was also launched which added tracks not featured on the cd release and at this time still remain exclusive so is well worth tracking down.
The new album entitled Illumination was released via preorder on the bands website in Oct 2008 and as an added incentive to fans features two bonus tracks not included on the regular wholesale edition which has a Spring 2009 official release date. There has been concerns over the mastering of the album from fans which could account for the delayed release dates.
Each album features traditional medieval songs and poetry set to music, mostly arranged by Blake specifically for the ensemble, alongside varying numbers of original compositions. They sing in a variety of languages, including Latin, Middle English, French, Italian, Russian, Middle High German, Welsh, Irish Gaelic, modern English, Swedish and the nearly extinct Cornish. Their vocals are backed by medieval instruments, including the recorder and cittern, played by the singers or fellow musicians.
One of the group's founding musicians, Dorothy Carter, died of a stroke in 2003 at the age of 68. In addition to playing autoharp, hurdy gurdy, and dulcimer with the group, she performed the lead vocals on So Spricht Das Leben (Worldes Blysse) and L'Amour de Moi (The Rose).
Emily Ovenden, who sings with the group, is the daughter of artist Graham Ovenden.
The Bæbes' musical pieces run the gamut from extremely traditional, such as their version of The Coventry Carol on Salva Nos, to songs that feel traditional but are much more modern, such as their rendition of Summerisle, a song written for Robin Hardy's 1973 cult film Wicker Man. John Cale added non-medieval instruments, including saxophone and electric guitar, to some of the arrangements on Undrentide, although with subsequent albums the band returned to more traditional instruments. Even with these instruments, however, the band's current style is quite different from medieval authentic performance groups, as it displays significant modern influence.
Current Band Members:
Katharine Blake (Contralto, Recorders, Violin, Piano), Emily Ovenden (Soprano, Recorders, Concertina, Percussion), Ester Dee (Soprano), Claire Rabbitt (Contralto, Piano), Bev Lee Harling (Alto, Violin, Citern, Recorders, Guitar), Melpomeni Kermanidou (Mezzo Soprano, Piano)
former Band Members:
Dorothy Carter, Karen Lupton, Nicole Frobusch, Nichole Sleet, Carmen Schneider, Claire Ravel, Ruth Galloway, Teresa Casella, Rachel Van Ash, Audrey Evans, Marie Findley, Cylindra Sapphire, Sophie Evans, Maple Bee, Sofia Escobar, Maxine Fone
Official website: www.mediaevalbaebes.com
The Woods and the Rivers Are Silent
Mediæval Bæbes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
E 'l mar senza onda giace
Ne le spelonche i venti han tregua e pace
E ne la notte bruna
Alto silenzio (fa la) bianca luna
E noi tegnamo ascose
Le dolcezze amorose
Amor non parli o spirs
Sien muti i baci (e muti i) miei so spirisighs
E noi tegnamo ascose
Le dolcezze amorose
The lyrics are in Italian and they describe the stillness and quietness of the woods, the rivers, the sea, and the winds, indicating that even nature is at peace. During the dark night, the moon shines down, and lovers enjoy the sweetness of being together in silence. The last two lines of the verse translate to "Love does not speak or breathe, let kisses and sighs be silenced. And we will hide the sweetness of love."
This song can be interpreted in various ways, but one possible meaning is that the lovers are enjoying a secret rendezvous in nature, away from the prying eyes of the world. The silence of nature further amplifies the intimacy of the moment, and the lovers enjoy their time together in silence, communicating only through their eyes and gestures. The refrain "E noi tegnamo ascose le dolcezze amorose" translates to "And we keep hidden the sweetness of love," indicating that the lovers wish to keep their love a secret and cherish their moment together.
Line by Line Meaning
Tacciono i boschi e i fiumi
The woods and the rivers fall silent
E 'l mar senza onda giace
The waveless sea lies still
Ne le spelonche i venti han tregua e pace
In the caves, the winds find peace and rest
E ne la notte bruna
And in the dark night
Alto silenzio (fa la) bianca luna
The white moon fills the silence with its glow
E noi tegnamo ascose
And we keep hidden
Le dolcezze amorose
The sweet pleasures of love
Amor non parli o spirs
Love does not speak or whisper
Sien muti i baci (e muti i) miei so spirisighs
Let kisses be silent, and let my sighs be hushed
E noi tegnamo ascose
And we keep hidden
Le dolcezze amorose
The sweet pleasures of love
Contributed by Ava J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.