Shanghai is hosting a concert that gives audiences a chance to hear the sounds of medieval Europe.

Spanish musician Jordi Savall has brought his unusual ancient stringed instrument, the viol or viola da gamba, and centuries-old European music to the Chinese metropolis, performing compositions going back as far as the 13th century, along with some of his own.

The music flowing through the Shanghai Concert Hall took audience members to the Mediterranean Sea in the Middle Ages. And some of the melodies were the work of Savall, 73, who specializes in medieval and Baroque music. Fellow composer Tan Dun was among those in the audience.

Savall said few people play ancient music, so he founded an ensemble as a way of bringing these musical pieces back to life on the stage. And he believes it does not matter whether the audience is familiar with that kind of music.

The concert combined older music and works that Savall has composed over the past 40 years, reflecting life in Algeria, Israel, and other countries around the Mediterranean sea.