Flor de Amor

Amazon.com
The septuagenarian Cuban singer Omara Portundo is the lone female crooner of the famed Buena Vista Social Club. But in the 1940s and '50s, she was the velvet voice of the jazz/bossa nova inspired genre known as filin. On her second solo CD, which translates as "Flower of Love," Portundo leads an assembly of Cuban and Brazilian musicians, featuring her Buena Vista bandmates, singer Ibrahim Ferrer and bassist Orlando Cachaito Lopez. The Congolese guitar whiz Papi Oviedo, plays the Cuban tres on "Amor de Mis Amores," "Habanera Ven," "Amorosa Guajira," and the title track. Portundo's poetic pipes sweeten these Latin ballads, from the afro anthemed "Tabu," to "Casa Color," a new song penned for her by Brazil's Carlinhos Brown. Sonically seasoned with strings, woodwinds, guitars, and background vocals, Portundo's "musical love letters" are postmarked with five decades of Afro-Cuban artistry. --Eugene Holley, Jr.

Product Description
Flor de Amor (Flower of Love) is the second solo album for World Circuit by Cuba's leading female vocalist and Buena Vista Social Club star, Omara Portuondo. The best-selling solo artist of the Buena Vista collective next to Ibrahim Ferrer, Omara's debut in 2000 went to the top of the world music sales and airplay charts, and sparked two U.S. tours. This time out, her heartfelt vocals on a collection of musical love letters are backed by a combination of Cuban and Brazilian influences, giving the album a distinctive style. Recorded in Havana's Egrem Studios, the richly textured sound reveals the warmth and pathos familiar to fans of the singer, who traverses a varied set of Cuban songs.

Flor de Amor,Omara Portuondo,Nonesuch,Bolero,Cuba,Cuban,Int'l & World Music,Latin,Mambo,Rhumba,Son

Average customer rating: Not as good as the film... disappointing it's all about the Malagueña Start to Finish, a Real Mexi-CAN of a Soundtrack Better than the movie!

Once Upon a Time in Mexico Manufacturer: Milan Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Lecuona | Lecuona, Ernesto | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Desperado: The Soundtrack Mexico and Mariachis: Music From and Inspired by Robert Rodriguez's El Mariachi Trilogy From Dusk Till Dawn: Music From The Motion Picture Vida Kill Bill: Volume 2 ASIN: B0000BWVC5 Release Date: 2003-09-09

Tracks:

1. Malaguena - Brian Setzer
2. Traeme Paz - Patricia Vanne
3. Eye Patch - Robert Rodriguez
4. Yo Te Quiero - Marcos Loya
5. Guitar Town - Robert Rodriguez
6. Church Shootout - Robert Rodriguez
7. Pistolero - Juno Reactor
8. Me Gustas Tu - Manu Chao
9. Sands Theme - Tonto's Giant Nuts
10. Dias De Los Angeles - Del Castillo
11. The Man With No Eyes - Robert Rodriguez
12. Mariachi Vs. Marquez - Robert Rodriguez
13. Flor De Mal - Tito Larriva
14. Chicle Boy - Robert Rodriguez
15. Coup De Etat - Robert Rodriguez
16. El Mariachi - Robert Rodriguez
17. Siente Mi Amour - Salma Hayek
18. Cuka Rocka - Chingon

Customer Reviews:

Not as good as the film..........2007-05-06

I remembered the music in the movie as being a little better than it actually is. I was a little disappointed in the CD.

disappointing.......2007-03-26

It just wasn't what I thought it would be and I personally didn't like it. But it is good music.

it's all about the Malagueña.......2004-12-01

i loved the movie and the music there is good. i really like the Malagueña so i learned how to play it on guitar. the song is great i enjoyed the movie as much as i enjoyed the sound track

Start to Finish, a Real Mexi-CAN of a Soundtrack.......2004-11-30

Alright, so the main reason I got the soundtrack was Pistolero by Juno Reactor,a real driving, pumped-up techno song. I started to get into the rest of the music on the soundtrack, and I find it an essential cd I carry along with me. The great thing about this soundtrack is you can listen in on Mexican traditional music and a glimpse of the culture, and still have some real badass-sounding guitar! Whatever you may think of the film, you can imagine the actors playing their parts in your head, since they play and sing in the soundtrack (as the first one). There is an aura in the music I can't put my finger on; there's a history, an old feel to it, but it lingers with new musical ideas. Kinda like the movie, in terms of making it. I agree fullheartedly with previous reviews: where the movie fails, the music fills in the gaps and expands on Mexican music, making the entire movie/soundtrack experience very deep and epic. I dunno, maybe I'm rambling, but I emphasize that this soundtrack adds culture and kickass to your collection, as it did mine.

Better than the movie!.......2004-11-21

When I first saw this film I was shocked at its total stupidity. I was a big fan of the first Desperado and this sequel completely choked my enthusiasm. One thing that was good about this film though was the music. I have to admit it, the music was excellent and in harmony with the motion picture. The best tracks on this CD are Traeme Paz, El Mariachi and Siente Mi Amor (Salma Hayek brings out the best in her sensuality in this song). I'm not a big fan of Latino music but some of these songs are so beautiful they deserve to be listened to. Yo Te Quiero and Cuka Rocka both are well known songs and excellent to dance to, while Flor Del Mal is a very nice and chilling ballad. This CD is a great addition to your music collection, don't hesitate to buy it.

Average customer rating: Lecuona Plays Lecuona Lecuona the Cuban pianist is Great! The Cuban Chopin Lecuona, the musical genious . . . . . LECUONA IS NO LIGHTWEIGHT

Ultimate Collection Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Lecuona | Lecuona, Ernesto | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Latin Music | Styles | Music Latin Pop | Latin Music | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Always in My Heart-Domingo sings Songs of Ernesto Lecuona Juana Zayas:A Treasury of Cuban Piano Classics Lecuona Sinfónica / Morton Gould and His Orchestra Ernesto Lecuona: The Complete Piano Music, Volume 1 Ernesto Lecuona Piano Music: Piano Solo ASIN: B000003G71 Release Date: 1997-02-11

Tracks:

1. Malaguena
2. Andalucia
3. Ante el Escorial
4. San Francisco el grande
5. Siempre en mi corazon
6. Maria la O
7. Siboney
8. Noche azul
9. La comparsa
10. Danza negra
11. Danza lucumi
12. A la antigua
13. Canto del guajiro
14. Canto del guajiro
15. La habanera
16. Damisela encantadora
17. Crisantemo
18. Romantico
19. Rosa la china
20. Como arrullo de palmas
21. Palomitas blancas
22. Poetico
23. Estudiantina
24. Cordoba
25. Music Box
26. Mazurka en glisado
27. Polichinela
28. Gitanerias
29. Aragon
30. Valencia mora

Tracks:

1. La brisa y yo
2. Devuelveme el corazon
3. Preludio en la noche
4. Yo te quiero siempre
5. Pavo real
6. Vals de las sombras
7. Bell Flower
8. Zambra gitana
9. Por eso te quiero
10. Vals azul
11. Vals en si mayor
12. Muneca de cristal
13. Mi amor fue una flor
14. Vals en re bemol
15. Apasionado
16. Amorosa
17. Ahi viene el chino
18. Al fin te vi
19. Por que te vas?
20. Mientras yo comia maullaba un gato
21. Por que te vas?
22. Amorosa
23. Los minstrels
24. No hables mas
25. Dame tu amor
26. Vals en re bemol
27. La 32
28. Mis tristezas
29. En tres por cuatro
30. Munequita
31. Burlesca
32. La paloma
33. Music Box

Amazon.com

This collection includes Ernesto Lecuona's complete 1954 recordings plus a series of 78s made in 1927-28. Ten of the recordings were previously unreleased. This is a lot of lightweight Cuban piano music to deal with at once, but it's definitely worth doing. Lecuona's music, which is having a major revival, may not be important. But it's consistently charming and entertaining. The 78s, which sound surprisingly good, reveal even more of a virtuoso than do the later recordings, but throughout we hear playing that expresses the spirit of the music extremely well. And yes, the famous Malagueña is here, sounding very sexy. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

Lecuona Plays Lecuona.......2007-05-12

Oh Boy! What can I tell you about this magnificent collection of musical jewels from our Maestro Lecuona. I bought the original Long Playing Record back in the 50's in my country.
I purchased it again shortly after my arrival to the US, and I was lucky enough to buy it on DVD from Amazon, once I found out they had it.

Joseph L. Alcover
Miami, FL

Lecuona the Cuban pianist is Great!.......2005-08-17

In my opinion this is one of the best CD's from Lacuona, Most of his piano compositions are recorded here (original ones), What, Ms. Leslie Gerber forgot to mention is that Mr.Lecuona was a band leader,"Lecuona and the Cuban Boys", remembers him? Or maybe she does not have sufficient information about him. The music from Lecuona still is very well alive today. I came across his recordings on my own, no one ever told me about this great pianist. I happened to hear the Malague?a by another great Cuban composer and band leader Perez Prado (The Real Mambo King) in one of his albums and Lecuona was the author. That got me interested in him. I'm pretty sure that Ms.Leslie Gerber does not mean any harm trying to put this composer down. It's just that maybe all she knows is Gerber baby food stuff!

The Cuban Chopin.......2004-06-18

What a great album and great value. There is music here that will make you smile, break your heart, inspire you, and Lecuona's skill is breathtaking. If you enjoy classical piano music (with a Cuban/Spanish influence), you'll love this. No, it doesn't display the virtuosity, complexity or seriousness of Lizst, Chopin or Beethoven, but it's fun, beautiful, dramatic yet accessible. You'll love it.

Lecuona, the musical genious . . . . ........2002-10-16

I feel compelled to identify myself first. I am Cuban born who arrived in the US in 1960 at the age of 16 years old. I am a US citizen since 1965 and a US Army Veteran of Viet Nam. I will die defending the right Ms. Leslie Garber has of expresing her opinions. But what I will not condone is her ignorance. To say that Lecuona writes "lightweight Cuban piano music" and that "Lecuona's music may not be important" is to show ignorance. A musician that composes GREAT music in several genres of the music world, a musician that in all genres has highly succesful pieces, and, a musician that after many years, (70-80 years) is still heard and admired can not be called other than MUSICAL GENIOUS and a CLASSICAL MUSICIAN. His music is so beautiful that it will live forever. From his Afro-Cuban compositions, to his romantic popular boleros, to his valses, to his Zarzuelas, Lecuona demonstrates once and again, time after time his immense musical talent. His Afro-Cuban "Cafetal", his romantic boleros "Noche Azul" and "Amapola", His vibrant and colorful "Comparsa" and "Andalucia", his classical Valses, just to mention a few things, makes Lecuona to stand together with the great musicians of the world. The fact that Hollywood made a film around "Estas en mi corazon" and that great singers, like Placido Domingo, want to sing Lecuona's music speaks immensely well of Lecuona/s greatness. The fact the popular instrumental orchestras like Faith, Conniff, Mantovani, Cugat have arranged and interpreted a lot of Lecuona's music also says a lot about Lecuona's versatility in his work. Lecuona is probably important to many millions of people and his music is certainly not lightweight. And if the only thing Ms. Garber can say about "Malaguena" is that "it sounds very sexy" is to demonstrate that she does not know a thing about music. It definitely does not give her the priviledge of commenting about Lecuona's music.

LECUONA IS NO LIGHTWEIGHT.......2002-02-27

Lecuona is one of the most important composers of Latin-America. He is by no means the "unimportant" and "lightweight" Leslie Gerber (whomever that may be) claims, having been hailed for performances of his earlier (and "less mature") works by the likes of Maurice Ravel.

In my opinion the highlight of the set is the devilish "La 32". It's also interesting to compare his interpretations of the same works at different times in his career, like the two recordings of "Por que te vas?" and "Amorosa", especially keeping in mind that Lecuona seldom notated and improvised quite frequently, leaving the transcription work to his students.

Average customer rating: The best of latin music through Domingo's voice Classic Latin American tunes beautifully sung and produced,

De Mi Alma Latina Manufacturer: Angel Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ramirez, Ariel | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Domingo, Placido | ( D ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Spain | Continental Europe | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Latin Music | Styles | Music Latin Pop | Latin Music | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Anonymous | A to B | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: De Mi Alma Latina, Vol. 2 100 years of Mariachi Por Amor Por Fin Juntos Placido Domingo: A Love Until The End Of Time ASIN: B000002SLF Release Date: 1994-09-13

Tracks:

1. Aquellos ojos verdes
2. La flor de la canela - Que nadie sepa mi sufrir - Amarraditos
3. Nosotros - Contigo - Sin ti
4. De Mexico a Buenos Aires
5. Se me olvido otra vez
6. El Humahuaqueqo - Caballo viejo - Moliendo Cafe
7. Delirio - Alma llanera
8. Solamente una vez - Veracruz - Noche de ronda
9. Manha de carnavaz - Aquarela do Brasil
10. Sabras que te quiero
11. Alfonsina y el mar - Gracias a la vida
12. Lamento Boricano - Vereda Tropical
13. Como ayer
14. Perfidia - Frenesi - La ultima noche
15. Adios
16. Por Amor - Asi como te buscaba - Yo vendo unos ojos negros

Customer Reviews:

The best of latin music through Domingo's voice.......1999-08-10

This CD goes wherever I go, it is with no doubt, the queen of my collection. Medleys are wonderfully orchestrated and arranged and every song makes you travel anywhere between Mexico and Buenos Aires. Here, Domingo's voice is more like a musical instrument than anything else and each song you'll discover a new instrument. Honestly, I would personally award it six stars.

Classic Latin American tunes beautifully sung and produced,.......1998-12-11

Domingo's love for traditional Latin American music shines throughout this CD. A selection of great "standards", beautifully arranged and recorded by one of the world's great voices. "De Mexico a Buenos Aires," written by Domingo's son is the one original song on the recording and is one of many highlights here. I have listenned to this CD countless times over the past two years and it remains a delight.

Average customer rating: Warm, jazzy vocals Every track a gem Definite Grammy Nominee

Flor de Amor Omara Portuondo Manufacturer: Nonesuch ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Cuba | Caribbean & Cuba | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | Latin Music | Styles | Music Bolero | Latin Music | Styles | Music Mambo | Latin Music | Styles | Music Son | Latin Music | Styles | Music Rhumba | Latin Music | Styles | Music Similar Items: Buena Vista Social Club Presents Omara Portuondo Introducing...Rubén González Buena Vista Social Club Presents Ibrahim Ferrer Buena Vista Social Club Presents: Manuel Guajiro Mirabal Lagrimas Negras Canciones y Boleros ASIN: B00020HDM6 Release Date: 2004-07-13

Tracks:

1. Tabu
2. Amor de mis amores
3. Alma de roca
4. Mueve la cintura mulato
5. Junto a un canaveral
6. Hermosa Habana
7. El Madrugador
8. Amarosa guajira
9. Habanera ven
10. Si llego a besarte
11. Flor de amor
12. Juramento
13. He venido a decirte
14. Casa calor

Amazon.com

The septuagenarian Cuban singer Omara Portundo is the lone female crooner of the famed Buena Vista Social Club. But in the 1940s and '50s, she was the velvet voice of the jazz/bossa nova inspired genre known as filin. On her second solo CD, which translates as "Flower of Love," Portundo leads an assembly of Cuban and Brazilian musicians, featuring her Buena Vista bandmates, singer Ibrahim Ferrer and bassist Orlando Cachaito Lopez. The Congolese guitar whiz Papi Oviedo, plays the Cuban tres on "Amor de Mis Amores," "Habanera Ven," "Amorosa Guajira," and the title track. Portundo's poetic pipes sweeten these Latin ballads, from the afro anthemed "Tabu," to "Casa Color," a new song penned for her by Brazil's Carlinhos Brown. Sonically seasoned with strings, woodwinds, guitars, and background vocals, Portundo's "musical love letters" are postmarked with five decades of Afro-Cuban artistry. --Eugene Holley, Jr.

Album Description

Flor de Amor (Flower of Love) is the second solo album for World Circuit by Cuba's leading female vocalist and Buena Vista Social Club star, Omara Portuondo. The best-selling solo artist of the Buena Vista collective next to Ibrahim Ferrer, Omara's debut in 2000 went to the top of the world music sales and airplay charts, and sparked two U.S. tours. This time out, her heartfelt vocals on a collection of musical love letters are backed by a combination of Cuban and Brazilian influences, giving the album a distinctive style. Recorded in Havana's Egrem Studios, the richly textured sound reveals the warmth and pathos familiar to fans of the singer, who traverses a varied set of Cuban songs.

Customer Reviews:

Warm, jazzy vocals.......2004-11-18

 Warm, jazzy vocals by Omara Portuondo imbed FLOR DE AMOR with a powerful bossa nova and easy listening Latin beat.
 These are lovely pieces brought to life by Omara Portoundo's voice: delicate in style, here tinged lightly with a horn interlude; there with soft supper club crooning.

Every track a gem.......2004-10-05

I've been carrying this CD from my car to the house (and back again) for the last 3 weeks. The backup singers will seduce you. Most noticeable is the sound of the instrumentalists, and in particular the delicate nuances they afford and, in general, how INCREDIBLY GOOD it all sounds together. If one is to assume that artist's albums are supposed to improve, in general, over time, then this is in my opinion Mme Portuondo's best to date. This is the sort of album that makes you say (even so soon after its release)

Definite Grammy Nominee.......2004-07-14

Omara Portuondo's voice would make any song sound good. What this CD lacks in guest stars, Omara makes up for it with some great classic Cuban songs and brazilian influenced arrangements. She even sings the last track partly in Portuguese. As with all these Cuban albums recorded in the EGREM studios, there is a unique sound the old studio environment leaves on the recorded works. This is a great album by the only woman of the Buena Vista Social Club, not too many members are left, enjoy this CD from one of the survivors.

Average customer rating:

Tunes For Workout Manufacturer: Direct Source Label ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by J.S. Bach | Bach, Johann Sebastian | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Falla | Falla, Manuel de | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Khachaturian | Khachaturian, Aram | ( K ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Strauss | Strauss, Richard | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Tchaikovsky | Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyich | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wagner | Wagner, Richard | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mendelssohn | Mendelssohn, Felix | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Prokofiev | Prokofiev, Sergei | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Concertinos | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Overtures | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Tone Poems | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Requiems | Forms & Genres | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Piano | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music National Philharmonic Orchestra London | ( N ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Requiems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Classical Fitness Mozart for Your Morning Workout ASIN: B00005YCZK Release Date: 2000-02-15

Average customer rating: Excellent Rendition of Early Music. Buy It. Fun and full of love from a newcomer viewpoint Love's Illusion OUTSTANDING

Love's Illusion-Music From The Montpellier Codex 13th Century Anonymous 4 , and Marsha Genensky Manufacturer: Harmonia Mundi Fr. ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Vocal & Song | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music | Requiems Anonymous 4 | ( A ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Lily and the Lamb: Chant and Polyphony from Medieval England Miracles of Sant'iago: Music from the Codex Calistinus An English Ladymass: Medieval Chant and Polyphony Legends of St. Nicholas: Medieval Chant & Polyphony La Bele Marie: Songs to the Virgin from 13th-Century France ASIN: B0000007E5 Release Date: 1994-08-23

Tracks:

1. Montpellier Codex: Plus Bele Que Flor - Quant Revient - L'autrier Joer - Flos Filius (Mo 21)
2. Montpellier Codex: Puisque Bele Dame M'eime - Flos Filius (Mo 231)
3. Montpellier Codex: Amours Mi Font Souffrir - En Mai - Flos Filius (Mo 111)
4. Montpellier Codex: Ne Sai, Que Je Die - Iohanne (Mo 185)
5. Montpellier Codex: Si Je Chante - Bien Doi Amer - Et Sperabit (Mo 311)
6. Montpellier Codex: Or Ne Sai Je Que Devenir - Puisque D'amer - Kyrieleyson (Mo 267)
7. Montpellier Codex: H? Dieus, De Si Haut Si Bas - Maubatus - Cumque (Mo 92)
8. Montpellier Codex: Celui En Qui - La Bele Estoile - La Bele, En Qui - Iohanne (Mo 20)
9. Montpellier Codex: Qui D'amours Se Plaint - Lux Magna (Mo 215)
10. Montpellier Codex: Amours, Dont Je Sui - L'autrier, Au Douz Mois - Chose Tassin (Mo 270)
11. Montpellier Codex: Au Cuer Ai Un Mal - Ja Ne M'en Repentirai - Jolietement (Mo 260)
12. Montpellier Codex: Quant Voi La Fleur - Et Tenuerunt (Mo 241)
13. Montpellier Codex: Quant Se Depart - Onques Ne Sai Amer - Docebit Omnem (Mo 131)
14. Montpellier Codex: Joliement - Quant Voi La Florete - Je Sui Joliete - Aptatur (Mo 34)
15. Montpellier Codex: Amor Potest Conqueri - Ad Amorem Sequitur (Mo 238)
16. Montpellier Codex: Ce Que Je Tieng - Certes Mout - Bone Compaignie - Manere (Mo 33)
17. Montpellier Codex: J'ai Si Bien Mon Cuer Assiz - Aucun M'ont - Angelus (Mo 128)
18. Montpellier Codex: Ne M'oubliez Mie - Domino (Mo 236)
19. Montpellier Codex: J'ai Mis Toute Ma Pensee - Je N'en Puis - Puerorum (Mo 255)
20. Montpellier Codex: Blanchete - Quant Je Pens - Valare (Mo 168)
21. Montpellier Codex: Dame, Qeu Je N'os Noumer - Amis Donc Est - Lonc Tans A (Mo 337)
22. Montpellier Codex: Li Savours De Mon Desir - Li Grant Desir - Non Veul Mari (Mo 323)
23. Montpellier Codex: Entre Copin - Je Me Cuidoie - Bele Ysabelos (Mo 256)
24. Montpellier Codex: S'on Me Regarde - Prenn?s I Garde - H?, Mi Enfant (Mo 223)
25. Montpellier Codex: Quant Yver La Bise Ameine - In Seculum (Mo 223)
26. Montpellier Codex: Ne M'a Pas Oubli? - In Seculum (Mo 207)
27. Montpellier Codex: On Doit Fin[e] Amor - La Biaut? - In Seculum (Mo 134)
28. Montpellier Codex: Ja N'amerai Autre Que Cele - In Seculum (Mo 3)
29. Montpellier Codex: Quant Je Parti De M'amie - Tuo (Mo 200)

Amazon.com essential recording

How's this for a concept: "True love may exist only outside of marriage, and a man must subject himself totally to the will of his beloved, whether or not her requests seem rational." If you think these ideas strange, be glad you weren't looking for love in France in the Middle Ages. These precepts course through thousands of song lyrics and love poetry during the 12th and 13th centuries and some of them appear on this exceptional recording by Anonymous 4. Specifically, these four women perform 13th century French motets found in an important manuscript known as the Montpellier Codex. These polyphonic works span the entire century and thus express a variety of styles. Sometimes the use of texts is striking, as when a love song, a diatribe against hypocrisy, and a rousing drinking song are sung simultaneously. Not bad, if you can get away with it. Anonymous 4 can-and does. --David Vernier

Customer Reviews:

Excellent Rendition of Early Music. Buy It........2005-10-29

`Love's Illusion' is the third album done by the medieval vocal quartet, `Anonymous 4' and the first recording for them of secular motets, although it is important to note that to my relatively uneducated ear, I find it hard to discern the difference between these French love songs and their renditions of medieval church music.

This is not to say I have a totally tin ear but rather to indicate that there is as strong or stronger connection between these secular songs and the liturgical music of the day as there is between Aretha Franklin's soul singing and Southern Baptist church songs. One would be foolish to think that church music influenced secular music for the first time in 1956.

The text for these songs is based on the Montpellier Codex from the 13th century and, as I said, are all in what I believe is an early version of French. The accompanying booklet gives all the French lyrics, plus translations of these lyrics into English and German (since the record company, harmonia mundi, is, I believe, headquartered in Germany and the recording is manufactured in Germany.

While this is the first album I have reviewed by this group (named after an anonymous 13th century English writer on music who lived and worked in Paris and wrote about the music done) I have been listening to their recordings for several years now and I decided to start with this one and leave some of the liturgical works for later, closer to the Christmas season.

On a purely visceral level, I like this recording very much. On an intellectual level, I believe this is as good or better than any other medieval pieces, and most other Renaissance vocal pieces I have heard, except for some works with larger choruses such as Guillaume Du Fay's Mass for St. Anthony of Padua and Ensemble Gilles Binchois recording of eleventh century French Polyphony.

For those who are new to Anonymous 4 recordings, they are generally done not in a studio but in the nave of a large church, so there is a distinct sense of their singing in a great open space, with little or no sense of electronic enhancement. I really like this effect for this music and find it just one more reason to recommend this and other Anonymous 4 recordings. I think my highest recommendation comes from the fact that I can listen to this recording many times over and not become tired of it. There are other unusual types of music such as Russian chants, tangos, and even jazz which I can take for an hour or so and then must change. This material I can listen to for hours on end.

Highly recommended for fans of early music or for people who want something different.

Fun and full of love.......2005-10-13

This is a wonderful collection of chansons, or songs, from medieval France. It is different from many Anonymous 4 collections in that this is a piece of secular songs, primarily dealing with courtly love; the songs are particularly influenced by the Arthurian romances, very much in vogue at that time. This is a collection of motets - a musical style that came out of polyphony and is an important bridge between chant and modern song styling.

The Montpellier Codex has over 300 different motets (not including duplications), including many double motets, where the tenor piece is based on a plainchant, and different voices have their own texts. These 'fin amours' songs were most likely performed mostly in private entertainment settings, and song have argued that certain parts should be done by instruments rather than voices. Of course, the Anonymous 4 is an a capella group, so that idea does not come into practice here.

This is a playful and fun recording, full of lovely songs that reach the heart in strong ways.

-- Liner Notes --
This text accompaniment to this disc is very full, so much so that the booklet is not contained within the jewel case, but rather within a slipcover in which both the CD/jewel case and the booklet reside. The liner notes include a description of the work, a brief piece about the quartet, and the lyrics of the songs both in original language and in translation - all repeated in English, German, and French sections (however, the French lyrics are in the older French language; a modern translation would be helpful). The cover art is a section of the lovely Tapestry, Lady and the Unicorn, Atelier of the Loire Valley, 'mille fleurs', fifteen century in the Museum of Cluny, France.

-- Anonymous 4 --
Contrary to the implication of their name, the Anonymous 4 are not anonymous. This is a vocal quartet made up of Ruth Cunningham, Marsha Genensky, Susan Hellauer, and Johanna Rose at the time of this recording (Ruth Cunningham will later go on to a solo career early, and another member will join - Jacqueline Horner). They came together as a formal group in 1986, and have been ensemble-in-residence at St. Michael's Church in New York City, giving concert series in New York as well as throughout North America. They have been featured a number of times on national media in North America as well as Germany. They then went on to yet more success, eventually performing more that 1000 concerts worldwide.

Their specialty is working with chant, monophonic and polyphonic music, and working with medieval texts. According to one source, 'The group takes its name from an anonymous music theorist of the late 13th century, Anonymous IV, who is the principal source on the two famous composers of the Notre Dame school, Léonin and Pérotin.'

The group ended a touring career of nearly two decades in 2004.

from a newcomer viewpoint.......2003-02-23

LOVE'S ILLUSION is one of those uncanny instances that make tradition more unusual than avant-garde. Having two to four texts in an archaic language sung on top of each other makes the album at once chaotic and highly ordered. Some texts were clearly written after one another (cf. track 24), whereas others have but a random connection. Harmonically, however, everything falls into place.
I'm still fairly new to classical music, so I can only speak of my attempts at overcoming my difficulties in listening to mediaeval polyphony. When one knows any piece of music has a text, one wants to be able to hear the words - even if one doesn't know the language -, and this is main reason why a first listening of LOVE'S ILLUSION may be disturbing, if not annoying. One initial solution is to think of it as instrumental, and take the words for granted; I suggest also repeated listening of your favorite tracks, while trying to follow one singer's voice, with booklet in hand. I have paid some attention to this record and I believe it has helped me.
The major flaw of this record is not presenting a translation of the 13th century French songs into contemporary French. The difference is indeed quite astounding.

Love's Illusion.......2002-12-11

Overall: Monotonous, irritating. I had a headache after only three cuts, and the cut I really wanted is barely recognizable as the melody of interest. Let's just say that this is a sound (i.e., all female vocals, no instrumental variety), regardless of performers, that I do not go looking for.

OUTSTANDING.......2001-01-11

This is an excellent recording of some of the most beautiful music from the 13th Century. The vocal quartet "Anonymous 4" does a superb job, especially considering the entire CD is sung in Old French. This may well be the most peaceful and reaxing CD you will ever own.

Average customer rating: Excellent, but What Are the Words? outstanding collection Awesome 7.5 hours of superb music at a most reasonable price.

Les tres riches heures du Moyen Age: A Medieval Journey Manufacturer: Harmonia Mundi Fr. ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Machaut | Machaut, Guillaume de | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Ballads | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Sacred & Religious | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music | Requiems Vocal & Song | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music | Requiems Sacred & Religious | Renaissance (c.1450-1600) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Chants | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Madrigals | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Masses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Motets | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Noels | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Partsongs | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Renaissance (c.1450-1600) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Perotin / The Hilliard Ensemble Ambrosian Chant ASIN: B00000074R Release Date: 1995-11-21

Tracks:

1. 1. By Way Of A Preamble: Byzantine Chant: Alleluia - Tropaire de la venue de l'epoux (Lundi Saint) - MEDIEVAL JOURNEY
2. 1. By Way Of A Preamble: Byzantine Chant: Exapostilarion de l'Office de Mardi Saint: Version arabe - MEDIEVAL JOURNEY
3. 1. By Way Of A Preamble: Byzantine Chant: Exapostilarion de l'Office de Mardi Saint: Version grecque - MEDIEVAL JOURNEY
4. 1. By Way Of A Preamble: Byzantine Chant: Exapostilarion de l'Office de Mardi Saint - Version arabe - MEDIEVAL JOURNEY
5. 1. By Way Of A Preamble: Chants sacres Melchites (IV siecle): Hymne a la Vierge (Liturgie grecque de saint Jean Chrysostome) - MEDIEVAL JOURNEY
6. 1. By Way Of A Preamble: Chants sacres Melchites (IV siecle): Office de la Nativite de la Mere de Dieu (Grand Canon de saint Jean Damascene) - MEDIEVAL JOURNEY
7. 2. Monody Before Gregorian Chant: Chants de l'Eglise de Milanaise: Psaume: 'Tecum principium in die virtutis tue'' - MEDIEVAL JOURNEY
8. 2. Monody Before Gregorian Chant: Chants de l'Eglise de Milanaise: Responsorium: 'Congratulamini mihi omnes qui diligitis Dominum'' - MEDIEVAL JOURNEY
9. 2. Monody Before Gregorian Chant: Le Chant Beneventain: Communio: 'Qui manducaverit' - MEDIEVAL JOURNEY
10. 2. Monody Before Gregorian Chant: Les Chants de l'Eglise de Rome (VII-VIII siecles): Introit 'Resurrexi' - MEDIEVAL JOURNEY
11. 2. Monody Before Gregorian Chant: Les Chants de l'Eglise de Rome (VII-VIII siecles): Office de l'Adoration de la Croix; Improperes: 'Agios o Theos, Sanctus Deus' - MEDIEVAL JOURNEY
12. 2. Monody Before Gregorian Chant: Le Chant Mozarabe: Cathedrale de Tolded: Sacrificium 'Vox clamantis' - MEDIEVAL JOURNEY

Tracks:

1. 1. Gallican Chant: Versus de l'eveque Theodulfe d'Orleans: 'Gloria laus' - Deller Consort
2. 1. Gallican Chant: Semaine Sainte: repons du 7 mode: 'Tenebrae factae sunt' - Deller Consort
3. 2. An Immense Corpus: Missa da Requiem Gregorienne: Introit: 'Requiem aeternam' - Deller Consort
4. 2. An Immense Corpus: Missa da Requiem Gregorienne: Kyrie eleison - Deller Consort
5. 2. An Immense Corpus: Missa da Requiem Gregorienne: Graduel 'Requiem aeternam' - Deller Consort
6. 2. An Immense Corpus: Missa da Requiem Gregorienne: Trait: 'Absolve, Domine' - Deller Consort
7. 2. An Immense Corpus: Missa da Requiem Gregorienne: Sequence: 'Dies irae' - Deller Consort
8. 2. An Immense Corpus: Missa da Requiem Gregorienne: Offertoire: 'Domine Jesu Christe' - Deller Consort
9. 2. An Immense Corpus: Missa da Requiem Gregorienne: Sanctus - Deller Consort
10. 2. An Immense Corpus: Missa da Requiem Gregorienne: Agnus Dei - Deller Consort
11. 2. An Immense Corpus: Missa da Requiem Gregorienne: Communion: 'Lux aeterna' - Deller Consort
12. 2. An Immense Corpus: Missa da Requiem Gregorienne: Repons: 'Libera me' - Deller Consort
13. 2. An Immense Corpus: Missa da Requiem Gregorienne: Antienne: 'In paradisum' - Deller Consort
14. 2. An Immense Corpus: Planctus Hugonis Abbatis: 'Hug dulce nomen' pour la mort d'Hugues, fils de Charlemagne, en 844 - Deller Consort
15. 3. The Aquitaine Tradition, Or The Problem Of Notation: Antiphona ad processionem: 'O beata infantia' - Schola Hungarica
16. 3. The Aquitaine Tradition, Or The Problem Of Notation: Introitus cum tropis: 'Quam queritis in praesepe - Puer natus est' - Schola Hungarica
17. 3. The Aquitaine Tradition, Or The Problem Of Notation: Alleluja 'Dies sanctificatus' - Schola Hungarica
18. 3. The Aquitaine Tradition, Or The Problem Of Notation: Communio cum tropis: 'Desinat esse dolor - Viderunt Omnes' - Schola Hungarica
19. 3. The Aquitaine Tradition, Or The Problem Of Notation: Alleluia cum tropis in octava - Schola Hungarica
20. 3. The Aquitaine Tradition, Or The Problem Of Notation: Cantio ad laudem cantoris: 'Annus novus in gaudio' - Schola Hungarica
21. 4. The Cistercian Exception: Repons de Matines pour la fete de Saint Bernard: Virtute multa - Ensemble Organum
22. 4. The Cistercian Exception: Repons de Matines pour la fete de Saint Bernard: In timore Dei - Ensemble Organum
23. 4. The Cistercian Exception: Repons de Matines pour la fete de Saint Bernard: 'Testamentum eternum' - Ensemble Organum
24. 4. The Cistercian Exception: Repons de Matines pour la fete de Saint Bernard: 'Dedit Dominus confessionem sancto suo' - Ensemble Organum

Tracks:

1. The Art Of The Troubadours: A l'entrada del temps clar - MEDIEVAL JOURNEY
2. The Art Of The Troubadours: Vida - MEDIEVAL JOURNEY
3. The Art Of The Troubadours: Quand vei la laudeta mover - MEDIEVAL JOURNEY
4. The Art Of The Troubadours: Vida - MEDIEVAL JOURNEY
5. The Art Of The Troubadours: Sitot me soi - MEDIEVAL JOURNEY
6. Cantigas de Santa Maria: Cantiga 77 (Flute a bec et percussion) - MEDIEVAL JOURNEY
7. Cantigas de Santa Maria: Prologue: 'Porque Trobar' - MEDIEVAL JOURNEY
8. Cantigas de Santa Maria: Cantiga 37 (Flute de berger et zarb) - MEDIEVAL JOURNEY
9. Cantigas de Santa Maria: Cantiga 7: 'Santa Maria leva' - MEDIEVAL JOURNEY
10. Cantigas de Santa Maria: Cantiga 100: 'Santa Maria, strela do dia' - MEDIEVAL JOURNEY
11. Carmina Burana (XIII siecle): 'Bacche, bene venies' (CB 200) - MEDIEVAL JOURNEY
12. Carmina Burana (XIII siecle): 'In taberna quando sumus' (CB 196) - MEDIEVAL JOURNEY
13. Carmina Burana (XIII siecle): 'Axe Phebus aureo' (CB 71) - MEDIEVAL JOURNEY
14. Carmina Burana (XIII siecle): 'Deduc Syon, uberrimas' (CB 34) - MEDIEVAL JOURNEY
15. Carmina Burana (XIII siecle): 'Flete flenda' (CB 5) - MEDIEVAL JOURNEY
16. Les Minnesanger: 'Sinc an, guldin huon!' - MEDIEVAL JOURNEY
17. Les Minnesanger: Ich lobe ein wip (Instr.) - MEDIEVAL JOURNEY
18. Les Minnesanger: 'Owe dirre not' - MEDIEVAL JOURNEY
19. Les Minnesanger: Wol auff, gesell (Instr.) - MEDIEVAL JOURNEY

Tracks:

1. 1. 12th Century Polyphony In Aquitaine: 'Domine labia mea aperies' - 'Deus in adjutorium meum' (Choeur) - Ensemble Organum
2. 1. 12th Century Polyphony In Aquitaine: Versus: 'O primus homo coruit' (a 2 voix) - Ensemble Organum
3. 1. 12th Century Polyphony In Aquitaine: Versus: 'Veri solis radium' (a 2 voix) - Ensemble Organum
4. 2. The Notre-Dame School: Messe du Jour de noel (XIII siecle) - Excerpts: Introit trope: 'Puer natus est' - Ensemble Organum
5. 2. The Notre-Dame School: Messe du Jour de noel (XIII siecle) - Excerpts: Kyrie - Ensemble Organum
6. 2. The Notre-Dame School: Messe du Jour de noel (XIII siecle) - Excerpts: Graduel: 'Viderunt omnes' - Ensemble Organum
7. 2. The Notre-Dame School: Messe du Jour de noel (XIII siecle) - Excerpts: Sanctus (organum) - Ensemble Organum
8. 2. The Notre-Dame School: Messe du Jour de noel (XIII siecle) - Excerpts: Agnus Dei - Ensemble Organum
9. 2. The Notre-Dame School: Messe du Jour de noel (XIII siecle) - Excerpts: Ite missa est - Deo Gratias - Ensemble Organum
10. 3. The Gradual Of Eleanor Of Brittany - A Particular Practice Of Polyphony: Kyrie 'Orbis factor' - Ensemble Organum
11. 3. The Gradual Of Eleanor Of Brittany - A Particular Practice Of Polyphony: Credo in unum Deum - Ensemble Organum
12. 3. The Gradual Of Eleanor Of Brittany - A Particular Practice Of Polyphony: Sequence: 'Res est admirabilis' - Ensemble Organum
13. 4. The Motets From The Montpellier Codex, Jewels Of The Ars Antiqua: Plus bele que flor - Quant revient - L'autrier joer - Flos Filius - Anonymous 4
14. 4. The Motets From The Montpellier Codex, Jewels Of The Ars Antiqua: Puisque bele dame m'eime - Flos Filius - Anonymous 4
15. 4. The Motets From The Montpellier Codex, Jewels Of The Ars Antiqua: Celui en qui - La bele estoile - La bele, en qui - Iohanne - Anonymous 4
16. 4. The Motets From The Montpellier Codex, Jewels Of The Ars Antiqua: Amor potest - Ad amorem sequitur - Anonymous 4
17. 4. The Motets From The Montpellier Codex, Jewels Of The Ars Antiqua: S'on me regarde - Prennes i garde - He, mi enfant - Anonymous 4
18. 4. The Motets From The Montpellier Codex, Jewels Of The Ars Antiqua: Qui d'amour se plaint - Lux Magna - Anonymous 4
19. 4. The Motets From The Montpellier Codex, Jewels Of The Ars Antiqua: On doit fin(e) Amor - La biaute - In Seculum - Anonymous 4
20. 5. An English Ladymass In Salisbury Cathedral (13th Century): Kyrie: 'Kyria christifera' - Anonymous 4
21. 5. An English Ladymass In Salisbury Cathedral (13th Century): Gloria - Anonymous 4
22. 5. An English Ladymass In Salisbury Cathedral (13th Century): Sanctus - Benedictus - Anonymous 4
23. 5. An English Ladymass In Salisbury Cathedral (13th Century): Agnus Dei: 'Virtute numinis' - Anonymous 4

Tracks:

1. 1. Le Roman de Fauvel (1310-1316): In mari miserie - Clemencic Consort
2. 1. Le Roman de Fauvel (1310-1316): Vers 149 a 168 - Clemencic Consort
3. 1. Le Roman de Fauvel (1310-1316): Ad solitum vomitum - Clemencic Consort
4. 1. Le Roman de Fauvel (1310-1316): Porchier miex estre. Vers 250 a 280 - Clemencic Consort
5. 1. Le Roman de Fauvel (1310-1316): J'ai fait nouveletement - Clemencic Consort
6. 1. Le Roman de Fauvel (1310-1316): Quoniam secta latronum - Clemencic Consort
7. 1. Le Roman de Fauvel (1310-1316): Vers 5905-5926 - Mario, virgo viginum - Clemencic Consort
8. 1. Le Roman de Fauvel (1310-1316): Vers 6023-6050 - Clemencic Consort
9. 1. Le Roman de Fauvel (1310-1316): Quare fremuerunt - Clemencic Consort
10. 2. La Messe de Tournai (c.1330-40) - Excerpts: Kyrie - Ensemble Organum
11. 2. La Messe de Tournai (c.1330-40) - Excerpts: Gloria in excelsis Deo - Ensemble Organum
12. 2. La Messe de Tournai (c.1330-40) - Excerpts: Sanctus - Ensemble Organum
13. 2. La Messe de Tournai (c.1330-40) - Excerpts: Agnus Dei - Ensemble Organum
14. 3. The Chansons Of The French And Italian Ars Nova: 'De toutes flours' - Ensemble Organum
15. 3. The Chansons Of The French And Italian Ars Nova: 'Honte, paour, doubtance' - Ensemble Organum
16. 3. The Chansons Of The French And Italian Ars Nova: 'Honte, paour, doubtance', version instrumentale - Ensemble Organum
17. 3. The Chansons Of The French And Italian Ars Nova: 'Che pena e quest'al cor' - Ensemble Organum
18. 3. The Chansons Of The French And Italian Ars Nova: 'Imperiale sendendo fra pi stelle' - Ensemble Organum
19. 3. The Chansons Of The French And Italian Ars Nova: Rondeau-canon 'Tout par compas' - Ensemble Organum
20. 3. The Chansons Of The French And Italian Ars Nova: Rondeau 'Belle, bonne, sage' - Ensemble Organum
21. 3. The Chansons Of The French And Italian Ars Nova: Rondeau 'Fumeux fume par fumee' - Ensemble Organum
22. 3. The Chansons Of The French And Italian Ars Nova: Ballade 'On voit tout' - Ensemble Organum
23. Sacred Music In 14th Century England: 'Campanis cum cymbalis - Honoremus Dominam' - The Hilliard Ensemble
24. Sacred Music In 14th Century England: 'Mater ora filium' - The Hilliard Ensemble
25. Sacred Music In 14th Century England: 'Edi be thu' - The Hilliard Ensemble
26. Sacred Music In 14th Century England: 'Gabriel From Heven-King' - The Hilliard Ensemble
27. Sacred Music In 14th Century England: 'Gaude virgo Mater Christi' - The Hilliard Ensemble

Tracks:

1. Johannes Ciconia (c. 1335-1414): 'Ligiadra donna' pour vielles - The Newberry Consort
2. 1. 15th Century English Music: Les Carols: Alleluya: 'A Nywe werke' - Anonymous 4
3. 1. 15th Century English Music: Les Carols: 'Ecce quod natura' - Anonymous 4
4. 1. 15th Century English Music: Les Carols: Nowel: 'Owt Of Your Slepe Aryse' - Anonymous 4
5. 1. 15th Century English Music: Les Carols: 'Anna Mater Matris Christi' - The Hilliard Ensemble
6. 1. 15th Century English Music: Les Carols: 'Tota pulcra es, amica mea' - The Hilliard Ensemble
7. 1. 15th Century English Music: 15th Century Marial Polyphony: Conduit 'O Maria stella maris' - Anonymous 4
8. 1. 15th Century English Music: 15th Century Marial Polyphony: Sequence 'Salve virgo singularis' - Anonymous 4
9. 1. 15th Century English Music: 15th Century Marial Polyphony: Motet 'Veni mater gracie - Dou Way, Robin' - Anonymous 4
10. 2. The Emergence Of Specifically Instrumental Music: Musicue instrumentale a la Cour d'Espagne: 'Propinan de Melyor' - The Newberry Consort
11. 2. The Emergence Of Specifically Instrumental Music: Musicue instrumentale a la Cour d'Espagne: --sans titre - The Newberry Consort
12. 2. The Emergence Of Specifically Instrumental Music: Musicue instrumentale a la Cour d'Espagne: 'La Spagna' - The Newberry Consort
13. 2. The Emergence Of Specifically Instrumental Music: Musicue instrumentale a la Cour d'Espagne: 'La Spagna' - The Newberry Consort
14. 3. Johannes Ockeghem (c. 1420-1497) - Requiem - Excerpts: Introit. 'Requiem eternam dona eis Domine' - Ensemble Organum
15. 3. Johannes Ockeghem (c. 1420-1497) - Requiem - Excerpts: Kyrie - Ensemble Organum
16. 3. Johannes Ockeghem (c. 1420-1497) - Requiem - Excerpts: Tractus: 'Sicut servus desideral ad fontes aquarum' - Ensemble Organum
17. 3. Johannes Ockeghem (c. 1420-1497) - Requiem - Excerpts: Sanctus - Ensemble Organum
18. Lute Music: Ricercar 'L'autre jour' - Paul O'Dette
19. Lute Music: 'Nous bergiers' - Paul O'Dette
20. Lute Music: Ricercar No. 33 - Paul O'Dette
21. Lute Music: 'Il est bel et bon' - Paul O'Dette

Customer Reviews:

Excellent, but What Are the Words?.......2006-07-04

This is a wonderful collection of music spanning many centuries, some of which you are unlikely to encounter anywhere else. The performances are beautiful, too. The one drawback is that the liner notes contain very few song text translations, a big problem for a large CD set with music that is primarily vocal.

outstanding collection.......2002-09-27

I have quite a number of CDs with Medieval Age polyphony, byzantine chant and renaissance music, but this collection goes beyond what could usually be expected from such boxsets. I'd highly recommend it to all.

Awesome.......2001-09-20

This is the best collection of medieval music I have ever heard. The performances are top-notch, and all of the songs are well done. I highly reccomend this collection not only for fans of medieval music, but for any music lover.

7.5 hours of superb music at a most reasonable price........1999-12-24

There isn't a clunker in this set. All the performers are top drawer and the recordings are good. The notes are a little brief and a bit scholarly, but can be ignored easily.

You will get an idea of the different kinds of medieval music as well as the top groups and soloists working currently in the field.

When I got this set, my mother and I listened to all 7+ hours straight through. We then started buying CDs from the different performers we had to hear more from.

At twice the price, this would still be an excellent addition to any classical or medieval music collection, as well as the best introduction to medieval music around.

Average customer rating: No Illusions About This Breathtaking CD

Love's Illusion Manufacturer: Harmonia Mundi Fr. ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Vocal & Song | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music | Requiems Anonymous 4 | ( A ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Motets | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical | Imports | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Opera & Vocal | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Miracles of Sant'iago: Music from the Codex Calistinus A Portrait Of Anonymous 4 ASIN: B00008OE1E Release Date: 2003-05-13

Customer Reviews:

No Illusions About This Breathtaking CD.......2006-11-14

First I should say that the content of this Limited Edition CD seems to not vary in any way from the much more expensive, regular version. Regardless of whatever differences there might be between the two, this one is extraordinarily beautiful -- quite possibly the most beautiful thing I've ever heard. Four incredible female vocalists sing these haunting motets from the 13th century Montpellier Codex, a series of French medieval love songs. These are not those irritating could-be-spiritual-or-profane ditties, but music about true romantic devotion and disillusionment. The CD includes an entire booklet of the lyrics for each motet first in the original medieval French, then translated into English. This is almost impossible to find anywhere or else I would have purchased the music directly on iTunes, as I was dying to have them as soon as possible. I cannot recommend this CD more highly.

Average customer rating: Delightful Delightful! Too ambitious!

On the Banks of the Seine-Music of the Trouovères Manufacturer: Chandos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ballads | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Rondos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Sacred & Religious | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music | Requiems Vocal & Song | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music | Requiems General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Chansons | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Chants | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Motets | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Virelais | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Dufay Collective:Miri It Is Johnny, Cock Thy Beaver: Popular Music-Making in 17th-Century England A Dance in the Garden of Mirth: Medieval Instrumental Music - The Dufay Collective Cancionero -- Music for the Spanish Court 1470-1520 Medieval Dance Music ASIN: B000000B17 Release Date: 1997-06-17

Tracks:

1. Dance: J'aloie l'autrier
2. Ses tres dou regars
3. C'est la fins
4. Prendi garde
5. Pucelete - Je languis - Domino
6. On parole - A Paris - Fr nouvele
7. Dance: Les un pins
8. Volez vous que je vous chant
9. La septieme estampie Real
10. A Dieu commant amouretes
11. A jointes mains vous proi
12. Hieus, quant verrai
13. Tant con je vivrai
14. Fines amouretes
15. La dours del tens novel
16. Dance: La dours
17. En ung vergier
18. Dame or sui tra
19. Chanter voel par grant amour
20. Quant voi la flor nouvele
21. L'autre jour par un matin
22. Amor potest
23. Dieus soit en cheste maison
24. Je chevauchoie l'autrier
25. Dance: Je chevauchoie l'autrier

Customer Reviews:

Delightful.......2006-01-27

I've only just listened to a few samples of this album, and I, too, strongly disagree with the poor review below. Vivien Ellis has a wonderfully sweet soprano. As for the men, well, classically trained singers hardly existed in the 12th and 13th Centuries (unless you sang in a monastery). That's what makes this album sound so authentic. Everyone sounds so REAL. 4 stars from me - good album, but not really outstanding. Still, I could fall in love with Vivien Ellis' voice pretty fast. Nice work!

Delightful!.......2004-03-19

I have to disagree with the poor review below. This is a WONDERFUL CD of medieval music, and I have many to compare it to! The instrumentals are light, fun and cleverly arranged. And I love the vocals. They're perfect for this style of music - clean, clear, and sometimes folksy. Vivien Ellis's soprano is lovely. The nasal intonation of the men on a few of the numbers (and it is not extreme--I've heard it done much stronger) reflects a choice some early musicians make based on the remnants of this music that still exist within the modern folk music traditions that descend from it. Give this gem a chance and you won't be disappointed. It's a joyful and refreshing trip into the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, with elements both gently alien and pleasantly familiar. I play it over and over again and have not yet tired of it. Happy listening!

Too ambitious!.......2001-11-22

The only reason I give this album a rating as high as two stars is because I love the music, because the instrumental pieces are great, and because it's always a pleasure to hear the delightful voice of Vivien Ellis.

But who told the guys, who are skilled instrumentalists, that they could sing??? The tenor sings flat, the baritone is totally drowned out by the tenor, the bass seems to be just going through the motions, and they all seem to sing through their noses. Skilled instrumental musicians they may well be, but these guys obviously don't have much training or experience in any kind of singing. The complex rhythms and precise tuning necessary for this kind of music seem totally beyond their current capabilities.

If this album had been done by anyone but the Dufay Collective, the Chandos A&R representative would have promptly sent the demo back to them with a form rejection letter. The guys may have talent as vocalists, but before they try to promote themselves as singers I would recommend that they get some voice training, do a lot of practicing and get some performing experience. Only then should they try to cut another album where they sing. Boys, for now at least, let's stick to the instruments!

Average customer rating:

Flor de Amor Omara Portuondo ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Cuba | Caribbean & Cuba | International | Styles | Music General | Latin Music | Styles | Music Bolero | Latin Music | Styles | Music Mambo | Latin Music | Styles | Music Son | Latin Music | Styles | Music Rhumba | Latin Music | Styles | Music ASIN: B0001M656K Release Date: 2004-05-04

Tracks:

1. Tab
2. Amor de Mis Amores
3. Alma de Roca
4. Mueve la Cintura Mulato
5. Junto a un Caral
6. Hermosa Habana
7. Madrugador
8. Amorosa Guajira
9. Habanera Ven
10. Si Llego a Besarte
11. Flor de Amor
12. Juramento
13. He Venido a Decirte
14. Casa Calor

Album Description

2004 album from the world renowned Cuban songstress of Buena Vista Social Club fame. A must-buy for the countless fans of Ry Cooder, Ruben Gonzales, & Ibrahim Ferrer. World Circuit.

Rock Music:

1. Happiness: Mixed by Claude Challe [Limited Edition] [Import]
2. Here comes...el Son - Songs of The Beatles with a Cuban TWIST
3. Hollow Bamboo
4. Jews With Horns
5. Juju Music
6. Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India
7. Legends
8. Les Beaux Dégâts [Import]
9. Les Choristes [Import]
10. Ma Ya

Rock Music

rock music

Recommended Music:

Applause [Import]

Ives Ensemble Plays Ron Ford, Richard Rijnvos, Micha Hamel, Richard Ayres, Ivo van Emmerik, Gene Carl

Friedrich Kiel: Piano Trios

Rockabilly: From the Boots Up

Exorcist II: The Heretic [Original recording remastered] [Soundtrack] [Import]

Farewell Cracow

Early Tapes [Import]

Maximum Bush Audio Book [Import]

Gli Anni d'Oro, Vol. 1 [Import]

Hector Berlioz: Requiem Op. 5/3 Overtures

Goin' Through Changes

Gnawa Music of Marrakesh: Night Spirit Masters

Ghetto Flava

William Grant Still: Afro-American Symphony; In Memoriam; Africa (Symphonic Poem)

Alternative 4