giovedì 18 agosto 2016

Chansons des Trouvères

tracks - MP3 192 Kbps - RAR Mb




The repertoire of trouvere songs is one “we are only now beginning to explore” writes Margaret Switten. I’m not sure that John Stevens or Hendrik van der Werf would agree with this, but it is certainly a claim that whets the appetite. And here we have an enlightened and well-chosen selection, sensitively presented and delightfully sung by Paul Hillier with insight and feeling. The main object of the poets’ attention is fin’amor, but other themes, including the return of spring (Volez vous que je vous chant and En mai, quant li rossignolez), make their joyful appearance, and there is one piece in a completely different vein, a serious piece of religious polemics: Deus est ensi conme li pellicanz.
The melodies, simple and stanzaic, are of great beauty. Outstanding in this respect is Gace Brule’s A la doucor de la bele seson. Many are modal (Dorian) and a few share a well-known opening phrase with a Gregorian melodie-type that Andrew Lawrence-King has made much use of in his accompaniments. His own contribution is momentous: if the manner in which these songs were originally performed still remains a mystery for the singer, it is even more of an enigma for the accompanist. But Andrew Lawrence-King has taken the word trouvere to heart: he is a true ‘finder’. His empathy with text, music and singer is total: he ‘invents’ with a sure touch, and I think it is not going too far to say it is a touch of genius.'


contents:


  1. Volez vous que je vous chant
  2. Les oxelés de mon paix
  3. Ce fu en mai
  4. Ausi conme unicorne sui
  5. Deus est ensi conme li pellicanz
  6. Chancon ferai, que talenz m'en est pris
  7. En mai, quant li rossignolez
  8. A la doucor de la bele seson
  9. Quant voi la flor nouvele


Paul Hillier, voice
Andrew Lawrence-King,  medieval psaltery, harp, portative organ

lunedì 15 agosto 2016

Montserrat Figueras - La Voix de L'Emotion


2 CD - MP3 192 Kbps - RAR 254 Mb




In November 2011, the music world suffered a huge loss with the passing of the great soprano Montserrat Figueras. Acclaimed in recent years for her exceptional work with her husband Jordi Savall, both in performance and in recordings for their Alia Vox label, Figueras was famed not only as a vocalist but also for her scholarly efforts in the area of musicology. This comprehensive tribute album presents a selection of highlights from Figueras career. It includes recordings she made for the Astrée, DHM, EMI and Alia Vox labels. Appropriately titled La Voix de l'émotion, this 35 track album is a fitting celebration of the depth, power and skill that were emblematic of Figueras musical style.
Figueras style of singing early music was at once steeped in historical sources and animated by freewheeling personal expression; she had a phenomenal ability to make ancient song come alive in the present. --Alex Ross


contents:


Disc: 1
  1. Medea: Invocation
  2. Berceuse Amazigh
  3. Romance: Palestina hermoza y Santa
  4. Planctus: Oarbre sanct, digne de honor (Maria)
  5. Milan: Romance: Triste estabamuy quexosa
  6. Mudarra: Villancico: Isabel, perdiste la tu faxa
  7. Di Rore: Chanson: Anchor che co'l partire
  8. Lope de Vega: Romance: Como retumban los remos!
  9. Victoria: Salve, Regina (excerpt)
  10. Monteverdi: Lamento della ninfa: Amor dov'e la fe
  11. Caccini: on le luci d'un bel ciglio, 1614
  12. Merula: Canzonetta spirituale sopra la nanna
  13. Hidalgo: Tono humano: Ay queme rio de amor
  14. Duron: Solo humano: Sosieguen descansen
  15. Reichardt: Berçeuse: Dorsmon enfant, 1798
  16. Sor: Aria: Ti ricordi che giurasti
  17. Sor: Seguidilla: Las Mujeres y cuerdas
  18. Mussorgsky: Avec la poupee
  19. Part: Berceuse de Noel

Disc: 2
  1. Romance: Por que llorax blanca nina
  2. La Sibila Galaica (excerpt)
  3. Canco: A chantarm'er de so
  4. Guerrero: Villancico: Si la noche haze escura
  5. Villancico: Nina y vina
  6. Narvaez: Villancico: Con que la lavare
  7. Villancico: Yome soy lamorenica
  8. Victoria: Ne timeas, Maria
  9. Luzzaschi: Madrigal: Aura soave
  10. Monteverdi: Canzonetta: Si dolce e il tormento
  11. Merula: Sentirete una canzonetta
  12. Marin: Canarios: No piense Menguilla ya
  13. Hidalgo: Tono Humano: Trompicavalas amor
  14. Canco: El Fill del rei
  15. Cererols: Hei mihi (Missa Pro Defunctis: VII)
  16. De Falla: Nana: Duermete, nino, dureme