Kevin van Giel

The Dark Ages

The Middle Ages are in the history of Europe during the period between classical antiquity and the modern era, roughly between the years 500 and 1500 AD. Traditionally this period was situated between the fall of the Western Roman Empire in the fifth century and the Renaissance that began in Italy from the fourteenth century. In this work the composer outlines three important events in the Middle Ages, which were also known as The Dark Ages.

1. Crusade! Western Europe has taken nine crusades to liberate the Holy Land from its Muslim rulers. With trumpets and drums the horse riders prepare to leave to the Far East. Courageous they ride their horses until they come face to face with the enemy. The battle unleashes!

2. Gregory the Great: One of the missions of Pope Gregory I (590-604), also known as 'Gregory the Great', is to collect and organize music in the liturgy. His work has been invaluable, because we know the songs still like Gregorian chant. The melody of this movement is based on the 'Salve Regina', one of the five Mary antiphons.

3. Urban Life: To facilitate trade and to feel safer, people were living closer together, preferably near a fortified place so they could hide when in danger. 'Urban Life' describes life in the early medieval towns. The people increased their wealth, but still were ruled by the nobles who demanded a large share of the profits from their vassals.