Brocel?ande is a very talented American quartet which performs Celtic, Medieval, and Renaissance music, with an emphasis on music inspired by or traditionally performed during each of the four seasons. They are also known for their performances of the songs of J.R.R. Tolkien. Featuring tight vocal and instrumental harmonies, their entrancing sound is built on the interweaving of up to 4-part vocals with Celtic harp, octave mandolin, cello, guitar, recorders, whistle, flute, melodeon, and percussion.
Brocel?ande's repertoire includes original arrangements of traditional and Early music and ranges in feel from driving, danceable Celtic beats to haunting ballads to 4-part a capella madrigals.
Members are:
Margaret Davis - lead singer and founder, Celtic harp, recorders, flute
Karl Franzen - guitar, vocals, bouzouki, melodeon, whistle, percussion
Kristoph Klover - vocals, 12-string guitar, octave mandolin, oboe
Kris Yenney - cello, vocals, viola da gamba, kamanche, percussion
Brocel?ande has been touring and recording since 1999. Their first CD, "The Starlit Jewel" features musical settings of the poetry of J.R.R. Tolkien, with music by bestselling fantasy author Marion Zimmer Bradley and by bandmembers Kristoph Klover and Margaret Davis. This recording has been officially sanctioned by the Estate of J.R.R. Tolkien and HarperCollins Publishers. In 2006 Brocel?ande completed their 4-CD "Songs of the Season" set, with each CD featuring music of one of the seasons: "Sir Christ?mas," "Gathering May," "Barley Rigs," and "Jig of Life." Their CDs are on the Flowinglass Music label, and are distributed by Goldenrod Music, Serpentine Music, and Abyss Distribution.
The band took their name from the Medieval French spelling of the Forest of Brocel?ande, which figures in French Arthurian legends as the site of many magical wonders and as the dwelling place of Merlin.