I am attempting to come up with a word in present-day English that would do justice to the German "Spielmann."
 
The context is an 18th-century review of a Lieder collection in an 1800 music periodical where the anonymous reviewer is lamenting the fact that every "Spielmann" has set to music Friedrich Schiller's "An die Fruede." 
 
In view of this context, "bandsman" or "minstrel" seems too neutral.  Would anyone have any suggestions that would do justice to the original word choice yet express it in current, idiomatic English?
 
Thanks!
 
James Parsons, PhD
Professor of Music History
Missouri State University
901 S. National Avenue
Springfield, MO   65897
Office:  417.836-6369