Lost Songs of a Rhineland Harper [Hybrid SACD] [Enhanced] [Hybrid SACD] [SACD]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Presuming it wasn't always religion or lovesickness, what did people sing about in the 10th and 11th centuries? The answer is presented here by the small group known as Sequentia, in a program of songs which were found in a 1000-year-old collection at Cambridge University, songs that had been copied down by Augustinian monks. The subjects vary from re-telling the complete myth of Orpheus and Eurydice (in 10 minutes!) to one about King David, to a lover's tale of the appearance, at night, of her dead darling. Along the way there are songs about how good it is to sing, a dialogue between a man and the nun he is trying to seduce (actually, there are a few "seduction" songs here), one about the three German emperors named Otto and more. There are three singers---occasionally all are involved at once, at times there are duets, several are solos. A harp, lyre, and, occasionally, flute are used as accompaniments. While one can hardly expect toe-tappers, this fascinating collection is incredibly catchy; the three singers are expressive storytellers who sing in a natural, non-operatic manner, and the style, though unfamiliar, is riveting. Recommended---a fine curiosity. --Robert Levine

Lost Songs of a Rhineland Harper [Hybrid SACD], Music, Anonymous, Cambridge Songs Anonymous, Cologne Sequentia Ensemble for Medieval Music, Classical, Classical Artists, Classical Vocals, Miscellaneous, Miscellaneous Music, Vocal, Vocal Music

Average customer rating:

Utterly convincing as Music!

A Complete Work of Art...

Sequentia shines out again!!

Lost Songs of a Rhineland Harper [Hybrid SACD]

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B0002XEEBQ
Release Date: 2004-09-28

Tracks:

Felix Qui Potuit Boni
Caute Cane, Cantor Care
Magnus Cesar Otto
Rota Modos Arte
David Reges Inclita Proles
Cigni (Instrumental)
Foebus Abierat
Clangam, Filii
Phebi Claro
Aurea Personet Lira
Iam, Dulcis Amica, Venito
Advertite, Omnes Populi
O Admirabile Veneris Idolum
Puella Turbata (Instrumental)
Suavissima Nunna
Veni, Dilectissime

Amazon.com

Presuming it wasn't always religion or lovesickness, what did people sing about in the 10th and 11th centuries? The answer is presented here by the small group known as Sequentia, in a program of songs which were found in a 1000-year-old collection at Cambridge University, songs that had been copied down by Augustinian monks. The subjects vary from re-telling the complete myth of Orpheus and Eurydice (in 10 minutes!) to one about King David, to a lover's tale of the appearance, at night, of her dead darling. Along the way there are songs about how good it is to sing, a dialogue between a man and the nun he is trying to seduce (actually, there are a few "seduction" songs here), one about the three German emperors named Otto and more. There are three singers---occasionally all are involved at once, at times there are duets, several are solos. A harp, lyre, and, occasionally, flute are used as accompaniments. While one can hardly expect toe-tappers, this fascinating collection is incredibly catchy; the three singers are expressive storytellers who sing in a natural, non-operatic manner, and the style, though unfamiliar, is riveting. Recommended---a fine curiosity. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

Utterly convincing as Music!.......2007-05-05

Benjamin Bagby is a formidable scholar; though I'm an "early music" performer myself, I couldn't begin to challenge the historical authenticity of these performances. But I can swear they SOUND authentic. That is, I can imagine such performances by an 11th C minnesinger of the first rank, a world class poet/harper. This is a far more varied and enjoyable CD than Sequentia's "Edda", and one I will listen to purely for musical satisfaction. The lighter voices of tenor Eric Menzel and alto Agnethe Christensen complement perfectly the manly, world-knowing timbre of Bagby's mature voice, and Ms Christensen's Danish accent in Latin has a charm of its own, possibly sounding quite like how a Medieval Rhinelander might have pronounced Latin. The lyre/harp/flute accompaniments are more than mere noodling; they have musical substance to deliver. For the moment, for me, this CD is the gold-standard of performance of the "secular" 10th & 11th C repertoire.

A Complete Work of Art..........2005-07-24

I never realized I liked Sequentia until I heard this CD. I once borrowed their other CD's from a friend, which succeeded in putting me asleep. But don't miss this one! The booklet gives the history of each song (very intriguing) plus the words in latin and english. The arrangements are beautiful, sometimes ecstatic, and will whisk you away to another, simpler world. Perfect for a relaxing bath or an in-depth study of ancient music. The songs are divided into three sections, first "songs of the harp," second "the image of dawn" and third "desire and seduction." My favorites are the song about swans played through an actual swan's bone and "sauvissima nunna" - an amorous dialogue between a seducer and a nun. There is a complete English translation for each song that makes you realize how poetic the words really are. Not the CD to play in the background (it will get monotonous) but to listen to with rapt attention. With this CD, listening is a rewarding experience!

Sequentia shines out again!!.......2004-11-20

It has been a long time since Sequentia has recorded an album. Sure Benjamin Bagby and the group has suffered the tragic loss of Barbara Thorton, but for her sake and for their gift, they've continued to produce a feast of music. This one is a lovely album! I heard a few tracks and I loved it! I loved the lyre, harp, and flute accompaniements that went along with the songs. They sound almost like the songs of the trouveres and the pattern of the songs are easy to memorize! The four musicians on this disc are worth hearing again and again. You can play this on regular cd players and still get nice sounds!