Northumbrian Voices is based on interviews and recordings made with family members and shepherd musicians from whom Tickell learnt tunes and songs. Three generations of musicians perform in a reflection of strong communities, their music and collective stories. Three violins, which are being played alongside such traditional instrument as Northumbrian pipes and melodeon, are being miked with DPA 4099Vs, designed specifically for mounting on violas and violins.
Tickell first encountered the 4099s playing violin for Sting's A Winter's Night...Live from Durham Cathedral concerts. "Durham Cathedral is not the easiest place to amplify acoustic music," she says. "However, even in this tricky situation, and with a group of 30-plus musicians, the DPAs performed flawlessly.
"I was interested to see how the 4099s would perform in the real world settings of my touring schedule of arts centres, concert halls and the other venues in which I usually perform. It was immediately apparent that the 4099s allowed the natural sound of the violins to be reproduced authentically while not limiting the level that could be given back to us in the foldback monitors."
(Jim Evans)
