Codex Las Huelgas: Music from 13th Century Spain

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Just how engaging, catchy, lively, and artful can 13th century Spanish music be? Very, as evidenced by this collection of motets, conductus, mass movements, and strophic songs from the legendary manuscript compiled at the 12th-century Cistercian convent at Las Huelgas. This remarkable program, highlighting only a handful of the nearly 200 works contained in the original manuscript, shows not only the beauty and inventiveness of sacred music of this period, but also how colorful and varied it could be. And just how well sung and played is it? Impressively, as shown by these five exceptional female voices and period instrumentalists from the superb Huelgas Ensemble. Instruments--recorders, fiddles, rebec, and percussion--are sparingly and effectively used, and the singers treat us to exciting yet rarely heard ornamentation, an ancient art that sounds eerily modern. --David Vernier

Tracks:

Ex illustri nata prosapia
Crucifigat omnes
O Maria maris stella
Ex agone sanguinis
Belial vocatur
Sanctus
Agnus Dei
Benedicamus Domino
Flavit auster
Eya mater
Quis dabit capiti
Casta catholica
Homo miserabilis

Amazon.com

Just how engaging, catchy, lively, and artful can 13th century Spanish music be? Very, as evidenced by this collection of motets, conductus, mass movements, and strophic songs from the legendary manuscript compiled at the 12th-century Cistercian convent at Las Huelgas. This remarkable program, highlighting only a handful of the nearly 200 works contained in the original manuscript, shows not only the beauty and inventiveness of sacred music of this period, but also how colorful and varied it could be. And just how well sung and played is it? Impressively, as shown by these five exceptional female voices and period instrumentalists from the superb Huelgas Ensemble. Instruments--recorders, fiddles, rebec, and percussion--are sparingly and effectively used, and the singers treat us to exciting yet rarely heard ornamentation, an ancient art that sounds eerily modern. --David Vernier

Customer Reviews:

This is the one to get.......2006-11-23

If you're at all interested in music from the Las Huelgas Codex, one of the monuments of medieval polyphonic notation, this is hands down the best recording. There aren't too many recordings out there solely devoted to this one source. All of the pieces are performed by a various combinations of women's voices and instruments. The women sing with clear voices and impeccable tuning. The instruments add a nice touch. They also experiment quite a bit with ornamentation which makes the performances really interesting. Think Anonymous 4 but with more energy and variety (and I do like Anonymous 4.) I found the 4-part conductus Belial Vocatur particularly enjoyable, and the hocket in Casta Catholica is spot on. I think the original performers would be pleased.

The garden of pleasures.......2003-06-05

I just got this cd and after hearing it couple of times i know this : This is one of the best albums of early music that i've had purchase over the years. The vocales are outstanding : authentic and pure angelic and combine this with period instruments and you will get a religion expirience of total beauty.
This album is for pepole who realy apprichiate true early music, it blew me away... dont miss this title, make your self a gift and buy it quick!

One of the best Huelgas Ensemble Record.......1999-04-17

It is music of the 13th century.If you are looking for medieval music, this is highly recomended, you will be astounded by the artists interpretations, it will trasnport you to a medieval court. The female voices are like being in heaven.

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