For centuries the Iberian Peninsula has had a rich Jewish culture tinged with both European and Arabic influences. This recording is the first in a series to explore the music of the medieval period of Jewish Spain (where the largest group of Jews in the world lived). The performances presented here include liturgical and secular performances, sometimes a mix of the two. They are presented by a consort of vocalists, strings, harps, reeds, and percussion of both Spanish and Middle Eastern origin. These performances are of a very classical nature, precise renditions of the music that can be rich in coloration and excellent musicianship. But it's a shame that the Sephardic music of Spain is now being reduced to research and scholarly exposition. The performances often lack the intensity and passion that this music would likely have in greater abundance were there a clear musical chain, generations of artists who learned the music not from books and manuscripts, but from their families and neighbors. This recording offers a wonderful look at how the music might have been, and a frustrating taste of how a great musical form might have grown over time. --Louis Gibson
The Sephardic Experience: Volume 1, Thorns Of Fire,The Renaissance Players,Celestial Harmonies,Int'l & World Music,Pop,Spanish
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The Sephardic Experience: Volume 1, Thorns Of Fire
The Renaissance Players Manufacturer: Celestial Harmonies ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD  Spain
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ASIN: B00000AEOZ Release Date: 1998-10-20 |
Tracks:
- Stelbishte Oro
- Por Alli Paso Un Cavallero
- Como La Rosa
- Yo M'enamori D'un Aire
- La Rosa Enflorece
- Slusaj Kaj Sumaj Sumite Bukite/Tri Pati
- Noches Buenas
- Puncha, Puncha La Rosa Huele
- Here Is A Poem/Return, O Shulammite
- Morena Me Llaman
- Staro Oro
- Ah, Signora Novia
- La Madre De La Novia
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For centuries the Iberian Peninsula has had a rich Jewish culture tinged with both European and Arabic influences. This recording is the first in a series to explore the music of the medieval period of Jewish Spain (where the largest group of Jews in the world lived). The performances presented here include liturgical and secular performances, sometimes a mix of the two. They are presented by a consort of vocalists, strings, harps, reeds, and percussion of both Spanish and Middle Eastern origin. These performances are of a very classical nature, precise renditions of the music that can be rich in coloration and excellent musicianship. But it's a shame that the Sephardic music of Spain is now being reduced to research and scholarly exposition. The performances often lack the intensity and passion that this music would likely have in greater abundance were there a clear musical chain, generations of artists who learned the music not from books and manuscripts, but from their families and neighbors. This recording offers a wonderful look at how the music might have been, and a frustrating taste of how a great musical form might have grown over time. --Louis GibsonAlbum Description
The Sephardic Experience quadrilogy, is a priceless sound document in which The Renaissance Players present their own performance versions of well- and lesser-known romansas (ballads), kantigas (religious songs) and muwashshahat (poetical forms) which have survived for centuries entirely via oral/aural transmission by parents, grandparents, friends and acquaintances within the family circle, while working, or as a form of ad hoc entertainment in Sephardic communities of the West and East. Sadly, as the end of the 20th century draws near we are witnessing the alarming disappearance of Spanish-Jewish culture due to vast, worldwide changes in social circumstances. In fact, these songs are no longer a part of the rich, musical fabric of the everyday life of the Sephardim.As was the case in the middle ages for many types of traditional music, the lyrics of the Sephardic romansa, kantiga, muwashshah and zajal could be sung to a newly composed melody or to a pre-existing melody from either secular or liturgical repertoires. In traditional Sephardic singing one does not hear heavy and constant vibrato or long-held notes which are not decorated. Furthermore, there is a firmly blended fusion of Spanish-Arabic qualities both in the sound of the melodies and the way they are treated in performance.
The main themes in this first volume, Thorns of Fire, relate to the rose as a symbol of love; with weddings and various associated customs; with delightful, ravishing Muslim girls; and with the omnipresent force of the sea and the siren. The Sephardic romansas and kantigas featured in this volume are from sources in Andalusia, Rhodes, Balkans, the Orient, Bulgaria and Tetuan, and the dance songs come from Macedonia, Andalusia and Australia. Also featured is a single declaimed Biblical text, linked by theme and concept, accompanied by entirely improvised, taksim-like instrumental commentary.
The four volumes of The Sephardic Experience ( Thorns of Fire, Apples and Honey, Gazelle and Flea and Eggplants) can be purchased individually or together in a beautiful hand-wrapped black linen box.
Customer Reviews:
a Hispanophile and Judeophile.......2005-08-24
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