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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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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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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Harmonie Universelle Review

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Harmonie Universelle ReviewThis disc features a variety of players or groups and individuals, including several of my favorites within this genre(time period music) such as Jordi Savall, Hesperion XX and Montserrat Figueras. The music was recorded between 1998-2001. Being relatively uninformed I can testify to the beauty of the timeless music from the ordinary perspective of an outsider to this type of music. My knowledge base is ziltch for time period music but I do know what I like and the music sends my spirit soaring. This is joyful, tranquil music that transcends musical timelines and boundaries infecting the listener with a feeling of peace. Some of the music is written by annoymous authors, much like the beautiful pieces of art you might see in a museum with only the tag of artist unknown, while some is written, in contrast, by well known composers like J.S. Bach. The music has a religious quality, very much like music performed on sacred days in ancient times. One particular song that has the qualities just mentioned is "Alfons V El Magnanim" that is performed twice(as nice) in succession in a slightly different manner. The second version features the lovely voice of Montserrat Figueras and all I can say is, it is exquisite. Her voice is featured on many of the songs and it is as though you are in cathedral and an angel has entered to take you on its wings. Some of the music was written as far back as the 1400's and you can only wonder how many souls this music has touched throughout the ages in one form or another. La Capella Reial De Catalunya further accentuates and compliments the textures by lending their collective voices to the lead vocals of Figueras. There are a variety of pieces or styles offered on this disc including some " Elizabethan Consort Music," a lovely piece by Le Consort Des Nations entitled "L'Orchestre Du Roi Soleil" and some music for the season. The soft, soothing qualities prevail throughtout the disc regardless of who is performing. The musical instruments are played enthusiastically, at times underemphasized but with an exuberance for the time period. If you are in the mood for some quiet music to fill you with joy than give this bargain disc a listen. The booklet is thick with a bilingual offering in English and French quotes but features very little information about the music featured on this particular disc. Instead the booklet is an offering of color photgraphs of the players in performance, including a beautiful portrait of husband and wife team Jordi Savall and Monsterrat Figueras as they are working together. By far the vast majority of the booklet is thirteen pages dedicated to other discs released by the featured performers and the instruments thay play such as harp, viola, lire, luth etc. Recommended music that reflects the season that has universal appeal and longevity. Running time is 78:37.Harmonie Universelle Overview

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Music from the Odhecaton Review

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Music from the Odhecaton ReviewThe doucaine was discovered a few years ago (circa 1969+)in the sunken wreck of one of Henry VIII's war ships. It is somewhat like a shawm but has a mostly cylindrical bore instead of conical, which gives it a somewhat more subdued presence. This recording by Piffaro contains several pieces arranged for doucaine(s). Piffaro ranks among the greatest of early music groups and the guest performers in this recording are equally as great. For example, Kiri Tollaksen playing cornetto is among the
best I have heard (having been at one of her performances this summer). This recording should be in the collection of every person who appreciates early music.Music from the Odhecaton Overview

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Stadtpfeiffer: Music of Renaissance Germany Review

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Stadtpfeiffer: Music of Renaissance Germany Review"Across early Renaissance Europe," begins commentator Robert Kendrick in the insert introduction, "the best-known wind ensembles consisted largely of players from Germanic lands, who took their craft with them to Italy, Spain, and France." This CD features sophisticated, contrapuntal compositions of Senfl, Isaac, Othmayer and Finck, interspersed with delightfully direct arrangements of simpler tunes by the Piffaro musicians themselves. Alternating consorts of recorders and reeds are enhanced by brass, lute, harp and percussion. Core Piffaro members Adam and Rotem Gilbert, Grant Herreid, Tom Zajac, and co-directors Joan Kimball and Robert Wiemken are joined by guests Benjamin Harris on percussion, Christa Patton on harp, and Mack Ramsey on wind instruments. This is my favorite Piffaro recording so far, because of the variety of distinctive sounds and composition styles. There's a bit of everything on here, and all of it very enjoyable to listen to! Done in a similar vein is the group's 2002 Dorian release, "Music from the Odhecaton: Celebrating the 500th Anniversary of the First Printed Music".Stadtpfeiffer: Music of Renaissance Germany Overview

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