Miroque
Miroque is a brand name owned by VK Histomedia GmbH, a company from Oberhausen in North Rhine-Westphalia.
Under this brand name, CD compilations with music from the Middle Ages and music from the Middle Ages have been published regularly since 1996 . Music festivals have been held under the name at irregular intervals since 2004. A print magazine has also been published under the same name since April 2010.
Miroque, the CD compilation
First published in 1996, Miroque was initially geared towards the intersection of medieval music and modern music from the medieval scene, supplemented by neo-classical , neo-folk and medieval-inspired music from the dark wave movement. Volumes 1–7 were produced by Sub Terranean , a sub-label of Nova Tekk GmbH, which no longer exists . After the loss of the production company, former employees continued the Miroque concept from 2003 and adapted the content of the CD series to the meanwhile grown medieval scene. Performers from the dark wave / neoclassical and neofolk environment have now largely been dispensed with. Since Miroque Vol. 8, the series has been published by the “Totentanz” label. The CDs are not only offered through regular sound carrier retailers, but also specifically at historical markets and similar events.
The more than a dozen Miroque volumes reflect the broad musical spectrum of the Middle Ages scene, from the most authentic ensembles of early music to a large number of market and musicians' groups to (folk) rock representatives of the genre. In addition to renowned groups, Miroque also offers a forum for young, lesser-known ensembles and bands.
In the meantime, several monothematic episodes of Miroque have been released, including episodes with historical Christmas carols, quieter love songs and drinking songs.
Miroque, the magazine
Since April 2010 VK Histomedia GmbH has been publishing a print magazine with the title "Miroque - living history" every three months. The print run is given as 25,000 copies. Each issue brings together various articles on historical knowledge and entertainment under one main theme. In addition, three additional special editions were published each year until 2013 (Keltika or Piraten). So far, well-known people from science and the Middle Ages could be won over to contribute guest articles. A large part of the magazine is therefore also devoted to music from the medieval scene. CD reviews, information about concerts and band performances are published here. In addition, an overview of medieval markets, exhibitions and events in the scene is offered in the form of a calendar. Small sections are devoted to events in the medieval scene in Austria and Switzerland. In addition, the magazine contains medieval cooking recipes, building instructions, patterns, book and game reviews and tips for hobbies and reenactment .
Issues published or announced to date:
- II / 2010 The Crusades (No. 1)
- III / 2010 The Vikings (No. 2)
- IV / 2010 The Celts (No. 3)
- I / 2011 Religions in History (No. 4)
- II / 2011 Inventions in the Middle Ages (No. 5)
- III / 2011 The Saxons & the early Middle Ages (No. 6)
- IV / 2011 The late Middle Ages (No. 7)
- I / 2012 The Renaissance, Landsknechte (No. 8)
- II / 2012 Rome and its enemies (No. 9)
- III / 2012 Germany in the Middle Ages (No. 10)
- IV / 2012 Around the Mediterranean (No. 11)
- I / 2013 Everyday Life in the Middle Ages (No. 12)
- II / 2013 Let's fight! (No. 13)
- III / 2013 Vikings in Europe (No. 14)
- IV / 2013 Kings, Princes & Aristocrats (Anniversary Edition) (No. 15)
- I / 2014 The common people in the Middle Ages (No. 16)
Special editions:
- I / 2011 Historical Dances (Edition No. 1)
- II / 2011 Dark Ages 1 - The Dark Ages (Edition No. 2)
- I / 2012 Historical Martial Arts (Edition No. 3)
- II / 2012 Keltika 1 - Scotland (Edition No. 4)
- III / 2012 Dark Ages 2 - Cabinet of Horror (Edition No. 5)
- I / 2013 Medieval Do it yourself (Edition No. 6)
- II / 2013 Keltika 2 - Ireland and its history (Edition No. 7)
- III / 2013 Pirates, Robbers and Scoundrels (Edition No. 8)
- 2014 Celtic countries and their history (Edition No. 10)
- 2014 Medieval Do It Yourself 2 (Edition No. 11)
- 2014 Music in the Middle Ages (Edition No. 12)
- 2014 Christmas and Winter Customs (Edition No. 13)
- 2015 Beverages Through History (Edition No. 14)
- 2015 Experiencing History in Germany (Edition No. 15)
- 2016 Middle Ages 2016 (Edition No. 17)
- 2017 Nordica (Edition No. 19)
Miroque, the festival
Between 2004 and 2008, Miroque festivals took place at irregular intervals, the line-up of which followed the diversity of the content of the compilations. This meant that both traditional-medieval groups performed at the Miroque festivals, as well as medieval-rock bands.
- 1st Miroque Festival (February 8, 2004, Pulp in Duisburg ): Cornix Maledictum , Cultus Ferox and Schelmish feat. The Last Unicorn and Flex the Bendable (Both In Extremo )
- 2. Miroque Festival (. 10 to 12 June 2004 Burg Rabenstein (Bavaria) ): The ghost lights , Schandmaul , Geyer Historock , Corvus Corax , Wolf Moon , Mortis
- 3rd Miroque Festival (September 11, 2004, Pyrmont Castle ): Pantagruel, Die Irrlichter, Faun , Saltatio Mortis, Corvus Corax, Schelmish
- 4th Miroque Festival (September 1st, 2007, Histotainment-Park Adventon in Osterburken ): Veitstanz , Omnia , Estampie together with L'Ham de Foc , Cultus Ferox and Corvus Corax
- 5th Miroque Festival (September 6-7, 2008, Histotainment Park Adventon in Osterburken ): WirrWahr , Nachtgeschrei , Die Streuner , The Sandsacks , Rabenschrey , Omnia , Haggard , Dunkelschön , Triskilian , Corvus Corax
A joint live DVD was released from the 2nd and 3rd Miroque Festival in 2005. a. with concert recordings, interviews and a special about instrument making with Wim von Corvus Corax and bagpipe maker Jens Güntzel.
Discography of the Miroque CD compilation
- 1996 Miroque Vol. 1
- 1997 Miroque Vol. 2
- 1998 Miroque Vol. 3
- 1999 Miroque Vol. 4
- 2000 Miroque Vol. 5
- 2000 Miroque Vol. 6
- 2001 Miroque Vol. 7
- 2003 Miroque Vol. 8
- 2004 Miroque Vol. 9
- 2004 Miroque Vol. 10
- 2004 Miroque - Medieval Christmas Sounds
- 2005 Miroque Vol. 11
- 2005 Miroque DVD
- 2005 Miroque Vol. 12
- 2006 Miroque - Romantic Middle Ages
- 2006 Miroque Vol. 13
- 2007 Miroque - In Taberna
- 2007 Miroque Vol. 14
- 2008 Miroque - Romantic Middle Ages II
- 2008 Miroque Vol. 15
- 2009 Miroque - market music
- 2009 Miroque Vol. 16
- 2010 Miroque Vol. 17
- 2011 Miroque Vol. 18
- 2012 Miroque - Dance!
- 2016 Miroque - Viking - Songs of Fire and Ice
- 2016 Miroque - The best of 20 years