The A-La-Mi-Re Manuscripts - Flemish Polyphonic Treasures

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
What were these oddly named manuscripts? Hand-copied collections of music so beautifully calligraphed and illustrated that they were collected as art treasures by wealthy nobility and bankers, exchanged as gifts between heads of state, and even used as diplomatic bribes of a sort. (Charles V gave several of them to key personages to secure his election as Holy Roman Emperor.) They were produced by the workshop of Petrus Alamire (né Imhoff), who took his nom de plume from solfège syllables (e.g., do re mi), and they're among the most important sources we have today for music from the period around 1500. Naxos has put together a fascinating sampler of music from some of Alamire's manuscripts: sacred music and elegant secular art songs by composers both known (Josquin, de la Rue) and almost forgotten (Marbianus de Orto), as well as a few pieces played on wonderfully raucous shawms and trombones--all performed by the exemplary Belgian ensemble Capilla Flamenca. This disc should be a treat for Renaissance collectors (even those who don't usually care for anthologies); at the super-budget price, it's a good introduction to Renaissance polyphony as well. --Matthew Westphal

Tracks:

Kyrie (Missa Myn Hert)
Celeste Beneficium - Adiutorium Nostrum
Proch Dolor - Pie Jhesu
Mater Floreat
Agnus Dei (Missa Super Benedicta Es)
Salve Regina (On Myn Hert)
Maudit Soyt
Autant En Emporte
Myn Hert Altyt Heeft Verlanghen I
Celle Que J'ay
Myn Hert Altyt Heeft Verlanghen II
Plus Oultre
Plaine De Deul
Soubz Ce Tumbel
Dulces Exuviae
Jam Sauche
Tandernaken Op Den Rijn

Amazon.com

What were these oddly named manuscripts? Hand-copied collections of music so beautifully calligraphed and illustrated that they were collected as art treasures by wealthy nobility and bankers, exchanged as gifts between heads of state, and even used as diplomatic bribes of a sort. (Charles V gave several of them to key personages to secure his election as Holy Roman Emperor.) They were produced by the workshop of Petrus Alamire (né Imhoff), who took his nom de plume from solfège syllables (e.g., do re mi), and they're among the most important sources we have today for music from the period around 1500. Naxos has put together a fascinating sampler of music from some of Alamire's manuscripts: sacred music and elegant secular art songs by composers both known (Josquin, de la Rue) and almost forgotten (Marbianus de Orto), as well as a few pieces played on wonderfully raucous shawms and trombones--all performed by the exemplary Belgian ensemble Capilla Flamenca. This disc should be a treat for Renaissance collectors (even those who don't usually care for anthologies); at the super-budget price, it's a good introduction to Renaissance polyphony as well. --Matthew Westphal

Customer Reviews:

Sensitive, Compelling, and Outstandingly Rendered!.......2005-02-21

I picked this CD up simply to round out an order, not thinking that it would be anything special. I was very wrong. This is one of the best Early Music CD's I own. Capilla Flamenca does an outstanding job of reproducing this early Franco-Flemish repertoire. There are some gems on this CD that you will find nowhere else. From polyphonic mass settings to lively Renaissance dance bands, this CD covers the era with grace. I would recommend it to anyone and everyone.

Great recording, great music........2001-04-29

Without a doubt, early music is an acquired taste. Even though some will certainly gawk at the comparison, I find it very similar to music written in the 20th century. This similarity is not in how the music sounds, but rather how it needs to be listened to. If you purchase a CD of early music expecting to hear something that resembles Beethoven or Mozart, you are in for a real disappointment. If you want to hear something different, something that you don't hear very often, something that is beautiful in a decidedly different way, then maybe early music is right for you.

That being said, I must say that I love early music, just as I love new music. For anybody who already has a good collection of early works, this release, "The A-La-Mi-Re Manuscripts," is a superb choice. It is gorgeous music that is performed brilliantly and is recorded marvelously, revealing a full and rich tone. Or, if you are just starting to get your feet wet with early music, this is still a fantastic release to purchase, for the reasons mentioned above, as well as another one. The price. Don't let it fool you. This is great music that is as good as, if not better than, any comparable release at a much greater price. And if you purchase it and decide you don't like it,you're...(not out much money). But let me go on record saying that I doubt you'll ever regret purchasing this disc. It is a truly wonderful release that raises the bar for early music recordings, regardless of the price tag.

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