El Barroco Español: Spanish Secular Music, c.1640-1700 Review

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El Barroco Español: Spanish Secular Music, c.1640-1700 ReviewThis is a great recording by Hesperion XX. Jordi Savall,called for an ensanble of first class instrumentalists.Some of the most prominent scholars,perform in this recording. Lutenist,Hopkinson Smith,a graduate from Harvard, is today one of a respected lute soloist.Ton Koopman plays the harpsichord in this recording, he is today conductor of one of the foremost early music group around,the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra.He plays in this recording three solo pieces by the Spanish composer,Juan Bautista Cabanilles.Christophe Coin,plays the viola da gamba,he is also a first class cellist in field of early music performance,he has performed with groups such as the Academy of Ancient Music,under C.Hughwood,Mr.Cin displays himself in this recording,with his performance of "La Folia" a set of variations in a popular tune by Martin y Coll.Soprano Moserrat Figueras was splendid in this recording too,this was her first colaboration with Jordi Savall.My favorite track were#3"Peynandose Estaba un Olmo".The quality of the recording is great for a re-issue.The only problem was that the liner notes failed to tell about the performers.El Barroco Español: Spanish Secular Music, c.1640-1700 Overview

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Jácaras 18th Century Spanish Baroque Guitar Music Review

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Jácaras 18th Century Spanish Baroque Guitar Music ReviewThis excellent recording treats us to a different baroque. Not the extremely elaborate fugues, chorales, and operas most people immediately think of when they hear "baroque". Many of the pieces are dance music, but not the kind of dances you would find in Bach cello, violin or lute suite. This is music someone can actually dance to. Even though the music is definitely baroque, some of these pieces sound like flamenco (like Jacaras por la E), and some other sounds like South American music (La Jota sounds somehow like "pajaro campana").
A discussion of the Alfabeto letters that show up in the titles of the pieces would have been nice; when you see "por la E" or "por la B" Murcia did not mean in the key of E or in the key of B. He was reffering to the names of the main chord in each of the pieces by an old guitar-chord naming system.
Highly recommended.Jácaras 18th Century Spanish Baroque Guitar Music Overview

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Dowland: Complete Lute Works, Vol.1-5 Review

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Dowland: Complete Lute Works, Vol.1-5 ReviewFirst, I should provide a disclaimer. I am only an amateur classical music buff, and a beginning classical guitarist, so I cannot provide the definitive critique of this five-disc set; however, I am unable to resist praising this work.
I was already familiar with and a fan of Dowland's music, but I hesitated getting this set, thinking that over five hours of music for the lute and the opharion (a metal-stringed instrument similar to the lute) would be overkill. Instead, I find myself wishing Dowland had lived another lifetime to provide us with even more of his tremendously varied and always exquisite music.
Paul Odette's playing is technically impeccable and unfailingly inspired by creativity. Dowland's manuscripts leave much to the imagination and intepretative genius of the player, and Odette combines faithful rendering with sparkling and virtuoso improvised ornamentation.
What is most important, naturally, is the result: 400 year old music that sounds remarkably contemporary, fresh. This is not to say that Dowland's music is modern, but rather that the composer captures universal qualities of human emotion and aesthetic sensibility. The many moods range from spritely, happy melodies to deeply contemplative and moving meditations. The careful engineering of this recording (typical of Harmonia Mundi releases) lends the performances a crystalline realism that fills the room with shimmering resonance.
This is music to gladden and soothe the soul in these complex and highly technological times, a gift from the past that will thrill and enlighten generations to come.Dowland: Complete Lute Works, Vol.1-5 Overview

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Folk Song Arrangements Review

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Folk Song Arrangements ReviewThe earliest sacred polyphonic music evolved from plainchant, in the hands of composers like Magister Leoninus. His works as recorded on this disc show how that evolution took place: for a setting of a given text, sections of unison plainchant were interspersed with writing for two voices, based largely on the melodic contours of the plainchant - in other words, re-composition took place.
The programme recorded here features some of Magister Leoninus' finest and most significant works, including "Alleluya. Non vos relinquam orphanos," "Alleluya. Pascha nostrum immolatus est" and "Viderunt omnes terre" - music with a key role in the liturgy at major festivals of the church's year. These particular motets could even be considered as the Christmas and Easter carols of their day: listen to them long enough and they will prove just as irresistable as their familiar modern counterparts.
Part of that irresistability is due to the excellent performances on this disc. Red Byrd, consisting here of its founders John Potter and Richard Wistreich, sings the polyphonic music whilst the Cappella Amsterdam provide the plainchant. Their performance methods show clear signs of research; listening to it, I cannot help but imagine that this is what the music really sounded like when it was first performed. The Amsterdam singers give an exemplary demonstration of how plainchant should be sung: flowing from note to note almost like liquid, clearly enunciated, perfectly in tune and making something out of every word and sound (as though meditating on it). And Red Byrd does even better - John Potter is no stranger to this music, having recorded twelfth century material for ECM and Hyperion with the Hilliard Ensemble (his intonation at the very opening "Alleluya" is a spine-tingling and unforgettable sound); Richard Wistreich supports him with a rich baritone voice and demonstrates remarkable breath control in sustaining the underlying chant. Together, their balance is faultless, their embellishments are exquisite, their phrasing and attention to musical detail is scintillating. To cap it all, the recording venue (not revealed on the box but definitely somewhere in Amsterdam) provides some generous acoustics, completing this vivid aural impression of twelfth century polyphony at its simplest and best.
Highly recommended!Folk Song Arrangements Overview

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Ancient Airs and Dances: 16th Century Songs & Dances for Lute Review

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Ancient Airs and Dances: 16th Century Songs & Dances for Lute Review'Ancient Airs and Dances' performed by Paul O'Dette on lutes and guitar, accompanyied by vocals from tenor Rogers Covey-Crump, violinist, John Holloway, lutist, Nigel North, and base viol player Christel Thielmann has all the qualities I like in medieval performances, with the bonus that even I, who has virtually no real training in either stringed instruments or ancient music can appreciate the skill with which these pieces, many by an anonymous composer, are performed.
I would probably not have bought this CD if it were not for the combination of artist O'Dette's reputation plus the recording label, Hyperion, whose relatively pricy works are always superior, especially for performances involving a small ensemble.
I usually listen to all music simply for the visceral punch, or in an attempt to educate my viscera to get more punch from an unfamiliar style of music.
While this recording does not leave my viscera unengaged, it is outstanding in the sense that it successfully involves my higher cognitive functions, which Mick and Keith rarely reach.
Very highly recommended as a sample of old music.Ancient Airs and Dances: 16th Century Songs & Dances for Lute Overview

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The Renaissance Lute Review

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The Renaissance Lute ReviewThis album now rates as my favorite from among the lute music offerings readily available from commericial sources in the US. Ronn MacFarlane plays enthusiastically and dynamically, and the great affinity he seems to have for the songs is readily transmitted through the recording. There is nothing monotonous here: each rendition sparkles. Here is an album you can listen to again and again, eagerly anticipating every listen.The Renaissance Lute Overview

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The Guitarist Review

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The Guitarist ReviewJohn Williams is simply the greatest classical guitarist of our time. No one has recorded a greater variety of classical guitar music, nor has anyone attained the consistent technical excellence of Mr. Williams. His recent recordings are very "warm." I would also like to recommend "From the Jungles of Paraguay," in which Mr. Williams records only works of Augustin Barrios. Both discs are standouts. For the neophyte, I would recommend "From the Jungles of Paraguay." For the more adventurous, "The Guitarist" is a fine, if serious, recording. Enjoy!The Guitarist OverviewThe Guitarist / John Williams
This product is manufactured on demand using CD-R recordable media. Amazon.com's standard return policy will apply.


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