The Spirits of England and France, Vol. 1: Music of the Later Middle Ages for Court and Church

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
This first volume in a series that "explores the riches of French and English music between the 12th and 15th centuries" features excellent examples of tuneful and rhythmically engaging pieces from a vast repertoire of secular and sacred songs. Some selections are in French, others are in Latin; most are for three or four voices, although there are a few solo and two-part songs. Several instrumental "estampies," played on medieval fiddle, add color to the program. Although the music itself is entertaining--especially in these excellent performances by one of the world's preeminent early music ensembles--it's also fun to follow the texts, which, along with their beguiling melodies, often deal quaintly but seriously--and often desperately--with love and courtship. This disc is a perfect introduction to a fascinating musical world that speaks directly to the senses. --David Vernier

Tracks:

Quant la douce jouvencelle
Gloria
Belle sans per
Ay mi! dame de valour
En cest mois de May
Laus detur multipharia
Credo
La uitime estampie real
Plaisance, or tost
Deduc, Syon, uberrimas
La septime estampie real
Je ne puis - Par un matin - Le premier jor - Iustus
Beata nobis gaudia
Virgo plena gratie - Virgo plena gratie
La quarte estampie real
Crucifigat omnes
Flos in monte cernitur
In Rama sonat gemitus
Presul nostri temporis
Ave Maria

Amazon.com

This first volume in a series that "explores the riches of French and English music between the 12th and 15th centuries" features excellent examples of tuneful and rhythmically engaging pieces from a vast repertoire of secular and sacred songs. Some selections are in French, others are in Latin; most are for three or four voices, although there are a few solo and two-part songs. Several instrumental "estampies," played on medieval fiddle, add color to the program. Although the music itself is entertaining--especially in these excellent performances by one of the world's preeminent early music ensembles--it's also fun to follow the texts, which, along with their beguiling melodies, often deal quaintly but seriously--and often desperately--with love and courtship. This disc is a perfect introduction to a fascinating musical world that speaks directly to the senses. --David Vernier

Customer Reviews:

Early music with instant appeal........2000-12-13

The tuneful simplicity of the works on this disc, the first in an outstanding series by Page and his excellent ensemble, is bracing and refreshing. The program is well-balanced for listening to all the way through, with solo and duet pieces nicely mixed in with full ensemble selections. Anyone who is in doubt about the diversity of mood and sound of early music should hear the imagination, personality, and skill Page and the Gothic Voices bring to every track on this disc.

Check out the following discs in the same series, or any of the Hyperion recordings by the Gothic Voices.

Music Review: