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iyatraQuartet - Orkney Hymn

“Orkney Hymn” makes use of two old tunes, the hymn to St Magnus and The Last Rose of Summer. The St Magnus Hymn originally dates from around 1280 when it was called “Nobilis Humilis” meaning from noble birth, yet humble in spirit. Written by the Earl of Orkney, Saint Magnus, Britain’s most northerly cathedral facing cathedral on Orkney is dedicated to St Magnus. "The Last Rose of Summer" was originally penned by the Irish poet, Thomas Moore in 1803 who is said to have drawn inspiration from the Rosa ‘Old Blush’ flower, while staying at Jenkinstown Castle Ireland. “Orkney Hymn” beautifully encapsulates the sense of intermingling tunes on trade routes and the wide skies of late summer with a meld of vocals, kalimba and solo violin.

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iyatraquartet@gmail.com

+44 7753 541058 - Rich

+44 7747 830928 - Alice

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Biography

iyatraQuartet make original music rooted in ancient melodies and folk tales. Their distinct vocal harmonies emerge from a rich sound world of soaring strings, the exuberant lyricism of the bass clarinet and sensitive percussion abound with groove. Delving into generations-old European traditions for inspiration, particularly the work of 12th century pioneering female composers, iyatraQuartet re-imagine early music and stories through their unique contemporary twist. Taking their name after the Hindi word for travel or pilgrimage, the band embraces this sense of journey through place and time in their music.

Their debut album, This World Alone (2015), was praised by violinist Nigel Kennedy as ‘beautiful … full of space and truth’. In 2019, iyatraQuartet were recipients of the inaugural Kennedy-Kolodziejski Award and PRS Foundation’s Open Fund. Released in lockdown, their second album, Break the Dawn (2020), received critical international acclaim, including from Cerys Matthews, Folk Radio UK and Max Reinhardt.