Les Travailleurs de la Mer: Ancient songs from a small island

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
This is an album of songs from Guernsey, an island off Cornwall but much closer to Normandy, and the music is as odd and captivating as the particular brand of French in which it is sung. The music, even to a not-particularly-sophisticated ear, seems a combination of Celtic twang and French charm, with unexpected springs of rhythm amidst melodies that are as graceful as swans. One might call it folk music and I guess that's correct, but with the use of baroque guitars, shawms, cornetto and, of course, the medieval harp--the instrument of Andrew Lawrence-King (who put the program together and is from Guernsey)--among others, the "classical" side of this project is just as crucial: it's a perfect union. Some of the texts are ribald, most tell stories. Paul Hillier's fine baritone occasionally comes close to a type of Sprechstimme, but it seems just right for these ballads, some ancient, some not-so. Soprano Clara Sanabras is from Normandy, and her seemingly untrained sound and approach are, by turns, earthy and tender enough for this music as well; she also plays guitar. The other players are superb: just give a listen to the hurdy-gurdy ("chifournie," in French, and also played by Lawrence-King). Victor Hugo lived on Guernsey for a while, and the CD's title comes from one of his novels. This music is presented with no affectations; as unusual as it is, the listener feels instantly at home with the wondrous sounds. Not just for early music fans, this is a piece of musical tourism. --Robert Levine

Les Travailleurs de la Mer: Ancient songs from a small island, Music, Ian Harrison, Paul Hillier, Guernsey Anonymous, Pierre Attaingnant, Thomas Lenfestey, Georges Metivier, Traditional, French Traditional, Guernsey Traditional, Robert Wace, The Harp Consort, Nancy Hadden, Clara Sanabras, Steve Player, Andrew Lawrence-King, Ricardo Padilla, Chamber, Chamber Music, Classical, Classical Artists, Early Music / Chant, Miscellaneous, Miscellaneous Music, Unknown Genre/Unspecified Instrumentation, Vocal, Vocal Music

Les Travailleurs de la Mer: Ancient Songs from a Small Island
Average customer rating:

Timeless Beauty

Les Travailleurs de la Mer: Ancient Songs from a Small Island

Manufacturer: Harmonia Mundi Fr.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
Vocal & Song | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music | Requiems
General | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
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ASIN: B00069KIL6
Release Date: 2005-03-08

Tracks:

L'bouan Houme Andrio
Y A De Belles Filles Partout
Les Filles Du Cate
Les Filles Des Parreisses
Les Fianchailles
L'ner Cotillon D'Mussieu L'Curai
La Berouisse
La Maison Ensorchellaie
Dansai Donc Ou Ne Dansai Pas
La Chanson De La Ribotresse
Ma Chifournie
Le Cat
Minette
Belle Rose
Le Furet
Le Voyage A Gernerui
Seul Et Content
Doublle La Violaette & Le Tour Du Moulin
Branle Gai
Le Voyage De Lihou
St. Pierre Lihou
V'la Men Livre Fini
Jean-Gross-Jean & Branle
Cha Chon

Amazon.com

This is an album of songs from Guernsey, an island off Cornwall but much closer to Normandy, and the music is as odd and captivating as the particular brand of French in which it is sung. The music, even to a not-particularly-sophisticated ear, seems a combination of Celtic twang and French charm, with unexpected springs of rhythm amidst melodies that are as graceful as swans. One might call it folk music and I guess that's correct, but with the use of baroque guitars, shawms, cornetto and, of course, the medieval harp--the instrument of Andrew Lawrence-King (who put the program together and is from Guernsey)--among others, the "classical" side of this project is just as crucial: it's a perfect union. Some of the texts are ribald, most tell stories. Paul Hillier's fine baritone occasionally comes close to a type of Sprechstimme, but it seems just right for these ballads, some ancient, some not-so. Soprano Clara Sanabras is from Normandy, and her seemingly untrained sound and approach are, by turns, earthy and tender enough for this music as well; she also plays guitar. The other players are superb: just give a listen to the hurdy-gurdy ("chifournie," in French, and also played by Lawrence-King). Victor Hugo lived on Guernsey for a while, and the CD's title comes from one of his novels. This music is presented with no affectations; as unusual as it is, the listener feels instantly at home with the wondrous sounds. Not just for early music fans, this is a piece of musical tourism. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

Timeless Beauty.......2005-08-18

We ordered this CD after hearing excerpts from it on NPR. We find it an enchanting blend of vocal and instrumental music, part medieval, part Celtic folk. Listening to it envelopes us in the beauty and simplicity of an unspoiled natural landscape timeless in its spiritual purity. It's an antidote to the ego-obsessed ratrace of the present and reminds us of the essential human goodness that music can express.

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