Category:  Chamber Music

...dreamin' backwards to my former time mistress' ...combines modern tonality with the soundscapes of the Italian Trecento: „La Manfredina“ (kept as a manuscript in the British Library) and is one of the earliest and best-known document of courtly music.
The solo for alto recorder takes the listener on a dream journey from the 21st century back to this courtly world, a world that seems foreign and dark but also like a fascinating reminder of the Archaic period.

Movements: dreamin’ backwards to my former times mistress - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

„Rückwärts träumend zu meiner Herrin aus früherer Zeit“ (dreamin' backwards to my former time mistress' combines modern tonality with the soundscapes of the Italian Trecento: „La Manfredina“ (kept as a manuscript in the British Library) and is one of the earliest and best-known document of courtly music and with its options as Estampie, Rotta, and Saltarello (the latter with a straight beat), it can be considered the precursor of the dance suite. The girl's name „Manfredina“ is closed in by secrets. It seems to find its origins with the Hohenstaufen emperor Friedrich II (1194-1250) who was - as „Stupor mundi“ (marvel of the world) and as „Bestie“ (beast) - in any case regarded as the „first modern human being on the throne“ (cultural historian Jakob Burckhardt). With his mistress Bianca Lancia d’Agliano – he confused the world with his countless affairs - he had three children. The youngest, their daughter Violante, was married to Riccardo, Conte di Casterta: and their daughter was named „Manfredina“ in honour of Manfred, King of Sicily .... Therefore, it can be assumed that this song, that is now famous, is based on Manfredina di Caserta.
The solo for alto recorder takes the listener on a dream journey from the 21st century back to this courtly world, a world that seems foreign and dark but also like a fascinating reminder of the Archaic period.

Duration: 6-8 minutes

Publisher of notes/sheet music: Schott Music , published by Barbara Hintermeier , 2015

Instrumentation: Alto recorder solo

Dedication: ...for Stefan Temmingh

World premiere:  16.03.2019

Records:  2020