Blondel

About

Blondel is a Medieval and Renaissance wind band made up of Belinda Paul, Emily Baines and Lizzie Gutteridge. Like the virtuosic wind players of the Middle Ages, we enjoy pushing the limits of our technique, performing music that many might not expect to hear on loud wind instruments, without losing the subtleties of phrasing, mood and balance of the original. Blondel play shawms, recorders, bagpipes and other early wind instruments. It is easy to imagine how the bold tones of a shawm band cut across the hustle and bustle of dance and banquet halls, or even a city square. More surprising to modern ears is the joyful and sophisticated beauty that results from this uniquely blended sound.