Night Music of the Witches

‘Night Music of the Witches’, a grand suite of 9 movements, is an original and highly unusual work, based on the historically famous ‘Witches of Zugarramurdi’.  The so-called ‘witches’, actually more associated with homeopathy than witchcraft, were common in these parts, especially in the 16th century before the clamp-down took effect. The notoriety attained by these Zugarramurdi witches dates from 1610, when some four hundred local inhabitants, all supposedly practising witchcraft, were rounded up. Many of them were thought to ply their art in the beautiful caves of Zugarramurdi, open at both ends with a romantic brook running right through the middle. At the end of the trials, 18 were freed altogether, others were imprisoned or had their homes confiscated, and a final 12 (considered the real ringleaders) were later burnt to death or perished by choking in the fire. This was the last time that such an event took place on Spanish soil. In the following years, however, the villagers would hold annual processions, every August the 15th, to ward off any potential witches – hence the emergence of local ‘fiestas’ and all the attendant folklore associated with these events of 1610. Today, the ‘fiesta’ is a joyous occasion, celebrated by all the local inhabitants on this same day every August.

Taking this tragedy as a point of departure, David Johnstone’s music evokes the energy and the magical qualities inherent in Zugarramurdi. The composer, British by birth but almost ‘Navarre’ by adoption, has experienced moments of inspiration in these caves, and this full-scale work is his homage to Zugarramurdi. Though the music is popular in vein, and thus accessible to all, there are some modern classical touches that serve to captivate the listener with a passion and musical energy appropriate to the story. The full work lasts some 45 minutes, though any of the 9 constituent pieces may effectively be programmed for individual performance.