The Island of St. Hylarion: Music of Cyprus, 1413-1422

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Before you decide to say "no thanks" to music written by anonymous composers on the island of Cyprus in the early 15th century, just wait one minute. Forget the historical references and consider these vocal and instrumental works as music that can be loved first for its pure and uplifting sonorities. When you hear the perfect blend of instruments (vielles, lute, slide trumpet) and voices (countertenor, tenor, and mezzo-soprano), you'll find yourself drawn into a very pleasant adventure that musically isn't as far afield as you might expect. Beginning with the occupation of Cyprus by Richard the Lion Hearted in 1198, a procession of Western rulers and visitors brought polyphonic music to the island. A manuscript now residing in Turin, but written in early 15th-century Cyprus, is the source for the pieces performed on this disc. The variety and quality of the music is astonishing--well worth an extended visit. --David Vernier

The Island of St. Hylarion: Music of Cyprus, 1413-1422, Music, John Fleagle, Anonymous, Cyprus Manuscript Anonymous, Ensemble P.A.N., Ensemble Pan, Crawford Young, Karen Clark, Karen Clark-Young, Laurie Monahan, Margaret Raines, Michael Collver, Peter Becker, Steven Lundahl, Choral, Choral Music, Classical, Classical Artists, Classical Music, Miscellaneous, Miscellaneous Music, Sacred Choral Music, Vocal, Vocal Music
The Island of St. Hylarion: Music of Cyprus, 1413-1422
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Another Rave Review
  • Inspired music
  • buy it ! buy it ! buy it !buy it ! buy it !
  • Exquisite.
  • The Island of ST. HYLARION - an unexpected encounter
 The Island of St. Hylarion: Music of Cyprus, 1413-1422

Manufacturer: New Albion Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music
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OratoriosOratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ClassicalClassical | Indie Music | Stores | Music
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ASIN: B000000R2Y
Release Date: 1994-04-05

Tracks:

  1. Contre dolour (rondeau)
  2. Tousjours (canonic rondeau)
  3. Aspre Fortune (ballade)
  4. Qui de Fortune (ballade)
  5. Je prens d'amour (virelai)
  6. Bonne e belle (instrumental)
  7. Qui n'a le cuer (rondeau)
  8. J'ai mon cuer (ballade)
  9. J'ai maintes fois (ballade)
  10. Moult fort me plaist (ballade)
  11. Danse d'Abroz (instrumental)
  12. Pymalion qui moult subtilz estoit (ballade)
  13. Da magne Pater (motet)/Si doucement (ballade)
  14. Anna parens matris (antiphon)/Alma parens nata/O Maria stella maris (motet)
  15. O Virgo virginum (antiphon)/O sacra virgo virginum/Tu nati nata suscipe (motet)
  16. Hodie Christus natus est (antiphon)/Hodi peur nascitur/Homo martalis firmiter (motet)

Amazon.com

Before you decide to say "no thanks" to music written by anonymous composers on the island of Cyprus in the early 15th century, just wait one minute. Forget the historical references and consider these vocal and instrumental works as music that can be loved first for its pure and uplifting sonorities. When you hear the perfect blend of instruments (vielles, lute, slide trumpet) and voices (countertenor, tenor, and mezzo-soprano), you'll find yourself drawn into a very pleasant adventure that musically isn't as far afield as you might expect. Beginning with the occupation of Cyprus by Richard the Lion Hearted in 1198, a procession of Western rulers and visitors brought polyphonic music to the island. A manuscript now residing in Turin, but written in early 15th-century Cyprus, is the source for the pieces performed on this disc. The variety and quality of the music is astonishing--well worth an extended visit. --David Vernier

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Another Rave Review.......2007-05-13

Since all the previous reviews have been five-stars, and Mr Mezzick's review from last year is very ample, all I wish to add is my strong agreement that this is an outstanding performance of an important repertoire.

5 out of 5 stars Inspired music.......2005-09-27

I must concur with my fellow reviewer who advocated, in no uncertain terms, that you should get this CD. This is a fabulous recording of lesser known music that deserves a much wider audience. This music comes from a medieval Cypriot manuscript housed in the Biblioteca Nazionale in Turin, which dates to 1413-1422. 'This manuscript is the sole witness to a brief but extraordinary flowering of western art music in Cyprus at the end of the fourteenth and the beginning of the fifteenth century.'

Perhaps one of the reasons for this neglect is political - Cyrpus was a Western outpost during the Crusades; hence, the culture of Cyprus has been influenced by outsiders heavily. The nation of Cyprus still is split between Greek and Turkish communities. The island of Cyprus was at one time a Knights Templar possession, given over to the last King of Jerusalem, and became a Francophile kingdom until the fifteenth century. Because of these close connections with France, the rulers often travelled to the European continent, and brought back both an appreciation for and performers of western musical styles that in turn took root and blossomed into local products such as the compositions recorded here.

The codex in Turin consists of full masses, offices of St. Hylarion and St. Anne, plainsong pieces, mass pieces such as glorias, credos, and more. There are motets, vierlais, rondeaux, and over a hundred ballades. Ths music on this disc is a representative sample of both the secular and sacred pieces.

The performers are the Ensemble Pro Ars Nova. According to their website, 'Ensemble Project Ars Nova, known popularly as Ensemble PAN, takes its name and its sense of spirit from Philippe de Vitry's 14th century musical treatise "Ars Nova" (The New Art). Founded at the Schola Cantorum in Basel, Switzerland, by young American artists Laurie Monahan (mezzo-soprano), Michael Collver (countertenor and corno muto) and Crawford Young (lute), the Ensemble debuted at the Festival Estival in Paris in 1982. At its American debut at the Castle Hill Festival in 1984, Shira Kammen (bowed strings) and John Fleagle (tenor and medieval harp) joined the group.' In addition to these members, they have guest performers Peter Becker (tenor), Karen Clark-Young (mezzosoprano), Randall Cook (vielle), Steven Lundahl (slide trumpet), and Margaret Raines (mezzosoprano). This disc was recorded in 1991, during the Ensemble's residency in the Boston area on a grant.

The clarity, the vibrancy, the depth and beauty in the music and in the performances perfectly match to give a strong, memorable experience.

Buy this disc!

5 out of 5 stars buy it ! buy it ! buy it !buy it ! buy it !.......2001-05-11

what an album !!!!! dont say a word. dont think twice. just buy it. it is my favorit !!! lots of love to the P.A.N ensamble & the other talented preformers on this rare trip into a world of pure beauty (and the tracks r anonymouse too!!!)i recomand the "chiconia" album of the same ensamble 2. it is allso a "must!" if ur a fun of the 13th-14th music you'll b a fool not to purchase those yami albums they are like food 4 your souls.

5 out of 5 stars Exquisite........1999-12-20

Beautifully performed, well recorded, this is a terrific addition to any collection. I find it at once calming and invigorating. Whenever anyone comes over and happens to hear it, they are instantly struck by the beauty and simplicity of the music. Highly recommended.

5 out of 5 stars The Island of ST. HYLARION - an unexpected encounter.......1999-06-20

The CD entitled "The Island of ST. HYLARION" - performed by ENSEMBLE PROJECT ARS NOVA - was an unexpected encounter for me. In this CD, music of Cyprus Island from 1413 to 1422 are recorded. I was surprised that the pieces in the CD was not so-called "ethnic musics", but the pieces influenced by medieval French culture! Some are secular chansons with texts of medieval French, some are Gregorian Chants with motet, and some are instrumental pieces by medieval instruments. The pieces are elegant, and, I truly assure, give peacefulness to all listeners! If you listen to this CD during very hot and humid summer day, I again assure, you listeners can feel as if you were in the cool highlands! This CD was introduced in Japan around 1991 at Virgin Mega Store in Tokyo, and this store chosed this CD as "Recommended CD." In fact it was sold well. I hope you all share the surprise as I felt by listening this CD.

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