Music from the 13th Century [Live]

1. Raga Shahana: Alaap, Jor and Jhala

2. Raga Bahar: Aochar

3. Raga Bahar: Composition in Jhaptaal (10 Beat Time Cycle)

4. Raga Bahar: Composition in Teentaal (16 Beat Time Cycle)

Music from the 13th Century,Ustad Amjad Ali Khan,Navras,India,India / Pakistan,Indian,Indian Classical,Int'l & World Music,Pop,Raga

Average customer rating: Another masterpiece from Anonymous 4 The bewitching variety of Anonymous 4

La Bele Marie: Songs to the Virgin from 13th-Century France Anonymous 4 Manufacturer: Harmonia Mundi Fr. ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Vocal & Song | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music | Requiems General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: 1000: A Mass for the End of Time / Anonymous 4 The Origin of Fire: Music and Visions of Hildegard von Bingen Legends of St. Nicholas: Medieval Chant & Polyphony An English Ladymass: Medieval Chant and Polyphony The Lily and the Lamb: Chant and Polyphony from Medieval England ASIN: B00006ALAG Release Date: 2002-08-13

Tracks:

1. O maria o felix puerpera
2. Pia mater gratie
3. De la mere au sauveor
4. O maria virginei
5. Verbum bonum et suave
6. Ave salus hominum
7. Mainte changon au fait
8. Ave maria gracia plena
9. Perotin: Beata viscera
10. Mundum renovavit
11. Je te pri de cuer par amors
12. Salve sancta parens
13. Serena virginum
14. De la tres douce Marie
15. Ave virgo Virginum
16. Mater patris et filia
17. Ave nobilis venerabilis

Amazon.com

The arrival of a new Anonymous 4 album has become as much a fall ritual as the turning of the leaves. However, there's nothing rote about their 12th album for Harmonia Mundi. All 17 selections are in honor of the Virgin Mary, ground familiar to fans of the ensemble's breakthrough first album, An English Ladymass (as well as 1998's Lammas Ladymass). Drawing upon both the Latin liturgy and chansons adapted from the French trouvère tradition of secular love songs, the combination of sources powerfully illustrates how strong devotion to Mary was in medieval France. But even more immediately striking is the New York-based vocal quartet's near-magical ability to enrapture their listeners. Whether they are coursing through a simply elegant monophonic chant such as "O maria o felix puerpera," a dazzlingly florid work like "Mater patris et filia," or the ethereal harmonies of "Mundum renovavit," their perfect intonation and pure tone are sublime. There's a special treat here, too--each of the ladies performs one piece solo. It's a chance to hear each singer's unique contribution to the group's inimitable sound: Marsha Genensky's exquisite smoothness, Susan Hellauer's dark-hued loveliness, Jacqueline Horner's creamy lightness, and Johanna Maria Rose's radiant resonance. It's a record that will transport you to another world, and yet one more star to add to Anonymous 4's constellation of celestially beautiful recordings. --Anastasia Tsioulcas

Customer Reviews:

Another masterpiece from Anonymous 4.......2003-02-16

For me what sets apart an Anonymous 4 recording, besides the wongerful singing is the presentation of a coherent program that only enhances the listening enjoyment. This disc contains anonymous chansons and conducti--with the exception of the "Beata viscera" of Perotin. These enchanting hymns and songs to the virgin Mary are vividly brought to life by the ensemble. I highly recommend this recording.

The bewitching variety of Anonymous 4.......2002-10-23

The child-like simplicity beguiles the music's endless array of intricacies
and subtleties. The crisp phrasing, exquisite nuances, poingnant details of haunting beauty is heard throughout the disc. Perotin and Notre Dame over all, were lyrics of the first water.

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: Superbly rendered early music Ensemble par exellence!

Danse Royale Ensemble Alcatraz , Anonymous , Research Composer , Cheryl Ann Fulton , Shira Kammen , Peter Maund , Susan Rode Morris , Kit Higginson , and Roy Whelden Manufacturer: Nonesuch ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Organ | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Visions & Miracles ASIN: B000005J0B Release Date: 1992-05-28

Tracks:

1. En Avril Au Tens Pascour - Ensemble Alcatraz
2. La Seconde Estampie Royal - Fulton/Higginson/Maund/Whelden
3. S'onques Nuls Hoem - Susan Rode Morris
4. Flos Pudicitie - Susan Rode Morris/Cheryl Ann Fulton
5. DS 11:11 - Cheryl Ann Fulton/Shira Kammen/Peter Maund
6. Danse Royale I - Cheryl Ann Fulton/Shira Kammen/Roy Whelden
7. Si Tost C'amis - Susan Rode Morris
8. Danse Royale II - Cheryl Ann Fulton/Shira Kammen/Roy Whelden
9. El Tens D'iver - Suasn Rode Morris/Shira Kammen/Peter Maund
10. Retrove - Cheryl Ann Fulton/Shira Kammen/Peter Maund
11. Espris D'ier Et D'amour - Susan Rode Morris/Cheryl Ann Fulton
12. La Prime Estampie Royal - Cheryl Ann Fulton/Peter Maund/Roy Whelden
13. La Ultime Estampie Real, La Septime Estampie Real - Cheryl Ann Fulton/Kit Higginson/Shira Kammen/Peter Maund
14. Trop Est Maris Jalos - Susan Rode Morris/Shira Kammen/Peter Maund/Roy Whelden

Customer Reviews:

Superbly rendered early music.......2004-01-16

Ensemble Alcatraz' first album "Visions & Miracles," a very sparse, no-frills rendering of the Cantigas, is light years removed from the lush performance given on "Danse Royale." Not that this should be surprising; the Norman songs of courtly love are on a different wavelength entirely from that of the Cantigas, and the tight, spare performance of "Vision & Miracles" would serve only to do an injustice to the memory of the trouveres.

This is a superbly rendered performance, especially in the arrangement of the selections. Every piece flows smoothly into the next, until one is left feeling as though the entire album is a single integrated piece. Music of this beauty almost makes one wish to have been alive 1000 years ago.

After many years of collecting early music recordings, this remains one of my favorites. After the release of this album, I don't believe Ensemble Alcatraz released any recordings for nearly a decade, which truly is a shame. In 2000, they released (on the Dorian label) another collection of Iberian music, "Cantigas de Amigo," which raises the hopes that more albums will come from them in the future.

However, if nothing else comes from this group, make sure you acquire "Danse Royale" and treasure it, for it is a rare gem.

Ensemble par exellence!.......2000-05-04

Wow - this is beautiful! In bonus to the music itself are the program notes (John Stevens), which are purposefully educational and entertaining in their own right. Morris' soprano is appropriately soulful and pure. And it may be because I am a string player that I react so, but the vibrations of vielle and rebec are intoxicating - or is it the songs themselves? For heaven's sake, the opening song, 'En avril, au tens pascour', is the most exquisite love poetry/song I have ever heard, and it's around 700 years old! In true springtime fashion, it can reawaken so much of the beauty of love for us in an age when much of it is being lost. Remaining songs are balm for truly aching hearts - and some are not without a sense of comedy and theatricality - but all retain a certain dignity, which is consistent with the character of the genre in the age in which they were originally crafted. And 'gentil', spirited danses with amazing tapestry-like textures are all put together for us skillfully and generously in this exceptional collection of Latin, French, and Anglo-Norman medieval songs - original texts and modern translations are included. You, too, will be saying a genuine 'Bravo' to this highly artistically successful effort.

Average customer rating: Le creuset du déchant produit l'ébauche de l'opéra profane That's where and when the profane opera started At the root of the profane secular opera

The World of Robin and Marion: Songs and Motets from the Time of Adam de la Halle Manufacturer: Analekta ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music | Requiems General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Richard Coeur de Lion (Richard the Lionheart): Troubadours & Trouvères in the Courts of Eleanor of Aquitaine, Richard the Lionheart, Marie de Champagne & Geoffroy, Duke of Brittany - Alla Francesca Halle: Le Jeu de Robin et Marion Music of the Gothic Era Polyphonic Aquitaine of th 12th Century Adam de la Halle: Le jeu de Robin et Marion ASIN: B0002VYES6 Release Date: 2007-04-05

Tracks:

1. Mout Me Fut Grief/Robin M'aime/Portare
2. Robins M'aime/Je Me Repairoie/He Robins Se Tu M'aimes
3. Lie Maus Amourous Me Tient/Dieus Par Quoi/Portare
4. Vous Perdez Vos Paine Sire Aubert/Ne Sai Que Je Die/Johanne
5. Bergeronnete Sui/Trairi Deluriau
6. He Robechon
7. Au Douz Tans/Biau Dous Amis/Manere
8. Vous L'ores Bien Dire/Saltarello
9. Bergeronnete/Robin Par L'ame Ten Pere
10. He Marotele Alons Au Bois/En La Praerie/Aptatur/Li Maus D'amer
11. L'Autre Jour/Au Tens Pascour/In Seculum
12. Par Un Matinet/Les Un Bosket/Portare
13. En Mai Quant Rosier/L'autre Jour/He Resveille Toi Robin
14. Encontre Le Tans De Pascour/Quant Fuellent/In Odorem
15. Quant Florist La Violete/El Mois De Mai/Et Gaudebit
16. En Non Diu/Quant Voi La Rose Espanie/Eius Oriente
17. Avoec Telle Compaignie/Quiconque Rira/Parodie (After Quant Voi Le Fleur/Et Tenuerunt)
18. Je Voi Douleur Avenir/Fauvel Nous A Fait Present/Autant M'est Sie Poise/Emi Emi Marotele N'ocies/Emi Emim Marotele Sage/Portare
19. Quant Froidure Trait A Fin/Domino Quoniam/Ronde: Le Sentelle
20. J'ai Encore Un Tel Paste
21. Audigier Dist Raimberge/Quant Voi Le Douz Tans Venir/En Mai Quant Rose/Immolatus
22. Venes Apres Moi/Nota Domino Quoniam
23. Mout Me Fut Grief/Robin M'aime/Portare/L'autre jour Par Un Matinet/Hier Matinet/Ite Missa Est

Album Description

Anonymus invites you to witness Robin and Marion's love, in the best musical tradition of the Middle Ages. A program with a rural accent that brings alive through poetry and music this lively and marvellously naïve romance by Adam de la Halle, the great troubadour from Arras.

Customer Reviews:

Le creuset du déchant produit l'ébauche de l'opéra profane.......2005-01-09

Loin de tout ce que tous les livres classiques peuvent dire, la polyphonie pas plus que l'opéra n'ont commencé au 16ème siècle italien. Le plus ancien opéra biblique est du 13ème siècle français (Ludus Danielis). Et voilà que l'Ensemble Anonymus vient de sortir pour notre plus grand plaisir le Robin et Marion d'Adam de La Halle, lui aussi du 13ème siècle. C'est l'un des ancêtres de ce que l'on appellera plus tard l'opéra. Et en plus cette Âœuvre est géniale. Le choix des instruments est excellent et certains sont plus lointains qu'européen, remontant jusqu'à la Perse iranienne. Le jeu en est clair, délicat, dansant et vif, expressif et même imagé. Le style de musique qu'ils nous offrent est très populaire pour l'époque, avec cependant des intermèdes musicaux d'une autre source qui ont plus de poids, de grandeur, d'ampleur. Les voix opposent le couple ténor-soprano au couple mezzosoprano-baryton, et cela sur une base dramatique : les premiers sont les héros, les seconds sont les trouble-fête. Le chant est la vraie grande révolution d'Adam de La Halle. Les artistes chantent, pour l'essentiel, en vieux français, avec une prononciation parfaite. On voit bien leur origines québecoises qui aident : de telles prononciations seraient beaucoup plus difficiles en France vu que nous avons perdu les dialectes anciens. La partition mêle des solos, de vrais duos en alternance, des duos où les voix s'allient et se superposent. Adam de La Halle importe ainsi dans une pièce profane dont la musique est populaire et non grégorienne ce qui est en train de naître en France particulièrement, et ailleurs aussi partiellement, à savoir la polyphonie et c'est un plaisir de découvrir que certaines formes qui deviendront des classiques des siècles futurs sont déjà là en germe dans cette partition. Adam de La Halle avait étudié le déchant, première aventure polyphonique dans le cadre grégorien. Il le transfère ici dans le cadre profane avec le meilleur effet. L'histoire est simple mais bien ancrée dans son temps. Elle est aussi complète et donc bien une sorte de livret d'opéra. Robin et Marion s'aiment d'un amour tendre, mais le chevalier Aubert intervient et vole la belle, par des moyens pas très honnêtes : la force, les cadeaux qui semblent de luxe à cette bergère, et des mots doux qui ne sont qu'autant de pièges. Le tout se finira, après un petit épisode beaucoup plus courtois emprunté à Gervais de Bus et son Roman de Fauvel, sur une solution ambiguë, cette brave Marion n'arrivant pas à prendre une décision entre son bel amour Robin qui joue si bien de la cornemuse ou du flageolet, et son tout nouveau amoureux chevalier qui brille de tous les feux de sa cuirasse et de ses victoires au tournoi. Entre les deux bien sûr son cÂœur balance. On se demande pourquoi ces Âœuvres du patrimoine français qui révèlent que nous avons eu une période florissante dans les arts bien avant la Renaissance, doivent être découvertes et mises en avant par des Anglais comme pour le Ludus Danielis ou des Québecois comme ici. Que font donc les Français qui se gargarisent de la défense de leur langue et qui ne s'intéressent même pas à leur patrimoine culturel un peu ancien, raison de plus très ancien ? Heureusement que nous avons des étrangers, francophones ou non, cousins distants ou pas cousins du tout, pour faire notre travail.

Dr Jacques COULARDEAU
Université Paris Dauphine

That's where and when the profane opera started.......2005-01-09

This recording is amazing. It is probably one of the ancestors of the secular opera, just like Ludus Danielis was the ancestor of the biblical opera, but both three centuries before the « official » birthdate of the genre, here the 13th century. What's more both works are French and not Italian as the legend wants it to be : opera was born in Italy during the Renaissance, they say. Another mystery is why these very fine and rich works are discovered and recorded not by French musicians and artists but by English and here French Canadian musicians and artists. What are the French doing ? Don't they go to their libraries and archives and check on those scores, and I could probably say scores of scores, that are sleeping in the boxes ? Apparently not. They blabber a lot about English menacing their French language with barbaric technical words, but they do not defend their own cultural heritage. Bizarre, isn't it ? But this recording reveals many things about this old century and this ancient composer. The instruments are authentic, even if at times a little bit exotic, Turkish or Irani. But they are light, brilliant, délicate, expressive and definitely lively. The score opposes the couple tenor-soprano of the two main characters to the couple mezzosoprano-barytone of the disturbing intruders. This is dramatically good. The singing is innovative. It uses solos, real duets with alternating voices or with superimposed voices, and many other forms, including of course the motet. Some singing forms that will become classical in a few centuries are already present here and quite lively and alive. Adam de La halle had learn the beginning of polyphony with the gregorian dechant and here he transposes it from the sacred field to the profane secular domain with the best results because it serves very well that music which is perfectly popular. The end of the tale, after an episode that is very courtly and borrowed from Gervais du Bus and his Roman de Fauvel, is ambiguous with Marion fluttering between her love for Robin who plays the bagpipe and the plain pipe so well, and her sudden love for the knight Aubert who conquered her with a little bit of force, a little bit of fine language, the promise of beautiful presents and the metallic shine of his armour and helmet and tournament weapons. Her heart is swinging and swaying between the two and the music is doing just the same, and yet announcing a future that must be in existence somewhere in some archives and has not yet been discovered, except the music, thanks to Paul McCreesh who never recorded it, of Pope Clement VI in Avignon whose favorite composer was the mathematician Vitry. But what is the French Ministry of Culture doing or thinking since they cannot bring all these gems out of oblivion ? The Minister should have a few pennies left at the bottom of a drawer somewhere to help this adventure ?

Dr Jacques COULARDEAU

At the root of the profane secular opera.......2005-01-09

This recording is amazing. It is probably one of the ancestors of the secular opera, just like Ludus Danielis was the ancestor of the biblical opera, but both three centuries before the « official » birthdate of the genre, here the 13th century. What's more both works are French and not Italian as the legend wants it to be : opera was born in Italy during the Renaissance, they say. Another mystery is why these very fine and rich works are discovered and recorded not by French musicians and artists but by English and here French Canadian musicians and artists. What are the French doing ? Don't they go to their libraries and archives and check on those scores, and I could probably say scores of scores, that are sleeping in the boxes ? Apparently not. They blabber a lot about English menacing their French language with barbaric technical words, but they do not defend their own cultural heritage. Bizarre, isn't it ? But this recording reveals many things about this old century and this ancient composer. The instruments are authentic, even if at times a little bit exotic, Turkish or Irani. But they are light, brilliant, délicate, expressive and definitely lively. The score opposes the couple tenor-soprano of the two main characters to the couple mezzosoprano-barytone of the disturbing intruders. This is dramatically good. The singing is innovative. It uses solos, real duets with alternating voices or with superimposed voices, and many other forms, including of course the motet. Some singing forms that will become classical in a few centuries are already present here and quite lively and alive. Adam de La halle had learn the beginning of polyphony with the gregorian dechant and here he transposes it from the sacred field to the profane secular domain with the best results because it serves very well that music which is perfectly popular. The end of the tale, after an episode that is very courtly and borrowed from Gervais du Bus and his Roman de Fauvel, is ambiguous with Marion fluttering between her love for Robin who plays the bagpipe and the plain pipe so well, and her sudden love for the knight Aubert who conquered her with a little bit of force, a little bit of fine language, the promise of beautiful presents and the metallic shine of his armour and helmet and tournament weapons. Her heart is swinging and swaying between the two and the music is doing just the same, and yet announcing a future that must be in existence somewhere in some archives and has not yet been discovered, except the music, thanks to Paul McCreesh who never recorded it, of Pope Clement VI in Avignon whose favorite composer was the mathematician Vitry. But what is the French Ministry of Culture doing or thinking since they cannot bring all these gems out of oblivion ? The Minister should have a few pennies left at the bottom of a drawer somewhere to help this adventure ?

Dr Jacques COULARDEAU

Average customer rating: Insane or a Saint? Peaceful, soothing, one of the best.

Celestial Light: Music Of Hildegard von Bingen & Robert Kyr Manufacturer: Telarc ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Hildegard of Bingen | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music | Requiems General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music $7.99 and Under | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Classical | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music $7.99 and Under | Prices | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Indie Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Pop | 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: Hildegard von Bingen: Canticles of Ecstasy Unseen Rain: Music by Robert Kyr Vision: The Music of Hildegard von Bingen Secrets of God: Writings of Hildegard of Bingen ASIN: B000003D2I Release Date: 1997-09-23

Tracks:

1. O Lucidissima
2. Novi Sideris Lumen Respenduit
3. O Cruor Sanguinis
4. Deus Misertus Hominis
5. O Tu Illustrata
6. Flos Ut Rosa Floruit
7. O Viridissima Virga
8. I. Song To The Creator
9. II. Song Of The Virgin To Her Son
10. III. Song To The Virgin
11. Nunc Gaudeant
12. O Eterne Deus
13. Ave Maris Stella
14. O Nobilissima Viriditas

Customer Reviews:

Insane or a Saint?.......2000-11-03

I first became of aware of the controversial seeress and prophetess Hildegard von Bingen a few years back and was fascinated and further explored her life. Critisized by many as nothing more than a mentally and physically tortured soul who suffered from hallucinations and hailed by many as a medieval saint whose visions, life and writings were inspired by divine intervention. Take a listen to this CD, which is based on her "Symphony of the Harmony of Celestial Revelation" and there can be no doubt. Take a listen and you be the judge. The theme of this music is light and the sound is sheer beauty. The music is vocalized by a group of women called "Tapestry" and they weave magic with their voices. The harmonizing and solo performances are extraordinary and inspirational. Upon listening you wil forget that you are listening to four voices, the music makes you forget all as the "light' fills your mind and you transend worldly distractions. The fact that you are listening to voices only is astounding alone because the voice captures your attention and has you so focused that you do not notice the absence of musical accompanyment. Our modern ears are used to hearing musical accompanyment with vocals so it is very refreshing to hear this musical bliss. This is medieval chant that is performed with ecstatic intensity. Like much of the medieval music that uses unmeasured chants, Hildegard's music displays unique and wonderful expressions of pacing and expression. A special cycle of motets are written for "Tapestry" to perform on this CD entitled"Circling Wheel" with text by Hildegard, in Latin as she never set them to music. The hour long medieval experience is unique and an experience that is quite heavenly. As intended, "Celestial Light" fills you with light. File this under otherworldly and inspirational, music that is good for your soul.

Peaceful, soothing, one of the best........1999-06-19

An excellent way to begin sampling Hildegarde von Bingen. This is a simply luscious CD--not so soothing as to be downright bland, but serene and intricate at the same time.

Average customer rating:

Carmina Burana from 13th Century Manuscripts Manufacturer: Entree ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Vocal & Song | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music | Requiems General | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Carmina Burana (XI-XIII Century) Carmina Burana ASIN: B0000044LU Release Date: 1995-04-06

Tracks:

1. Procurans Oddium
2. Exiit Diluculo
3. Axe Phebus Aureo
4. Homo, Que Vigeas
5. Vite Perdite
6. Nomen A Solemnibus
7. Crucifigat Omnes
8. Fas Et Nefas
9. Licet Eger
10. Celum Non Animum
11. Olim Sudor Herculis
12. Dic, Christi Veritas
13. Bulla Fulminante

Average customer rating:

Anthems for the 21st Century Manufacturer: Signum UK ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by MacMillan | MacMillan, James | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B0009E3CQQ Release Date: 2005-06-28

Average customer rating: Rare Medieval Lauds Legenda Aurea

Legenda Aurea: Laudes des Saints au Trecento italien (Golden Legend - Lauds from 13th Century Italy) Manufacturer: Arcana ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music ASIN: B00004I9RG Release Date: 2000-02-08

Tracks:

1. Facciam Laude A Tuct'i I Sancti
2. Sia Laudato San Francesco
3. San Domenico Beato
4. Ciascun Ke Fede Sente
5. Santa Agnese Da Dio Amata/Triv
6. Novel Canto/Sia Laudato San Vito
7. Laudiam 'lli Gloriosi Martiri
8. Pastor Principe Beato
9. Magdalena Degna Da Laudare
10. Spiritu Sancto Dolce Amore
11. Benedicti E Llaudati

Customer Reviews:

Rare Medieval Lauds.......2005-05-21

The ensemble La Reverdie performs lauds of the Saints from 14th century manuscripts in Cortona and Firenze. The medieval laud was monophonic & paraliturgical, usually with a rustic air about it.

The title of the recording, Legenda Aurea - The Golden Legend, is the name of a book about the saints that was very popular in medieval times

Legenda Aurea.......2001-03-08

This is a great example of early music. I believe it is 14th century, around the time of Luther, Calvin, Cortez and Colombus. The instruments are period type, with recorders and simple drums. For all of the wanna-be Rennaisance fair types, this is your sound track. There is an early dance flavor to the music, and you may find yourself pacing around a room to the chants and beat. One of the better examples of this period of music.

Average customer rating: Excellent!

In Musica Vivarte Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Gombert, Nicolas | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Michael Praetorius | Praetorius, Michael | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Madrigals | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Magnificats | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Masses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Psalms | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music ASIN: B00000296K Release Date: 1993-11-16

Tracks:

1. Codex Las Huelgas: From Codex Las Huelgas: Ex illustri
2. Solage: Solage: Fumeux fume
3. La Dissection d'un Homme arme (15th century): From La Dissection d'un Homme arme (15th century): Mass II: Credo - Patrem omnipotentem - Crucifixus - Et unam, sanctam
4. Missa 'Et ecce terrae motus': Kyrie (from Missa 'Et ecce terrae motus')
5. Fortuna desperata
6. Je prens congie
7. 'La Justa': Oyd, oyd los viventes!
8. Calami sonum ferentes
9. Amor, i'ho molti e molt'anni pianto
10. Venite exultemus Domino
11. Lamentations for Maundy Thursday: Ghimel. Migravit Judas - Daleth. Viae Sion

Customer Reviews:

Excellent!.......2003-09-27

This album is wonderful. A really excellent chanting, rebirth type. ;-)

Average customer rating: This is the one to get The garden of pleasures One of the best Huelgas Ensemble Record

Codex Las Huelgas: Music from 13th Century Spain Huelgas Ensemble , and Paul van Nevel Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Masses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music ASIN: B0000028YQ Release Date: 1993-11-16

Tracks:

1. Ex illustri nata prosapia
2. Crucifigat omnes
3. O Maria maris stella
4. Ex agone sanguinis
5. Belial vocatur
6. Sanctus
7. Agnus Dei
8. Benedicamus Domino
9. Flavit auster
10. Eya mater
11. Quis dabit capiti
12. Casta catholica
13. Homo miserabilis

Amazon.com

Just how engaging, catchy, lively, and artful can 13th century Spanish music be? Very, as evidenced by this collection of motets, conductus, mass movements, and strophic songs from the legendary manuscript compiled at the 12th-century Cistercian convent at Las Huelgas. This remarkable program, highlighting only a handful of the nearly 200 works contained in the original manuscript, shows not only the beauty and inventiveness of sacred music of this period, but also how colorful and varied it could be. And just how well sung and played is it? Impressively, as shown by these five exceptional female voices and period instrumentalists from the superb Huelgas Ensemble. Instruments--recorders, fiddles, rebec, and percussion--are sparingly and effectively used, and the singers treat us to exciting yet rarely heard ornamentation, an ancient art that sounds eerily modern. --David Vernier

Customer Reviews:

This is the one to get.......2006-11-23

If you're at all interested in music from the Las Huelgas Codex, one of the monuments of medieval polyphonic notation, this is hands down the best recording. There aren't too many recordings out there solely devoted to this one source. All of the pieces are performed by a various combinations of women's voices and instruments. The women sing with clear voices and impeccable tuning. The instruments add a nice touch. They also experiment quite a bit with ornamentation which makes the performances really interesting. Think Anonymous 4 but with more energy and variety (and I do like Anonymous 4.) I found the 4-part conductus Belial Vocatur particularly enjoyable, and the hocket in Casta Catholica is spot on. I think the original performers would be pleased.

The garden of pleasures.......2003-06-05

I just got this cd and after hearing it couple of times i know this : This is one of the best albums of early music that i've had purchase over the years. The vocales are outstanding : authentic and pure angelic and combine this with period instruments and you will get a religion expirience of total beauty.
This album is for pepole who realy apprichiate true early music, it blew me away... dont miss this title, make your self a gift and buy it quick!

One of the best Huelgas Ensemble Record.......1999-04-17

It is music of the 13th century.If you are looking for medieval music, this is highly recomended, you will be astounded by the artists interpretations, it will trasnport you to a medieval court. The female voices are like being in heaven.

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