Ludus Danielis

Ludus Danielis - The Play of Daniel: The Harp Consort - Andrew Lawrence-King
Deutsche Harmonia Mundi (BMG) 05472 77395 2 [CD]

Performers: Harry van der Kamp (Balthasar Rex, legate, lion), Douglas Nasrawi (Daniel Propheta), Ian Honeymoon (Darius Rex, principe), Caitríona O'Leary (Juvenis, Angelus), Jeremy Birchall (Dextra, mage, legate, lion, Abacuc, drone organ), Rodrigo del Pozo (mage, principe, legate, consular), Paolo Fanciullaci (mage, flexis genibus, legate, consular, drone pipes), Barbara Borden (Regina), Stephen Harrold (principe, flexis genibus, legate, consular), Belinda Sykes (lion, Alius Angelus, shawms), Jane Achtman (vielle), Gian-Luca Lastraioli (lute), Peter Maund (percussion, bells), Jane Trewhella (bells), Nicola Kremer (bells), Andrew Lawrence-King (harp, psaltery, organ), Margriet Tindemans (vielle), Steven Player (gittern)

Playing time: 74'

Recording date: April 1997 (St. Bartholomew's Church, Orford)

Excerpts:
[3], [4], [9], [13], [19] RCA "Red Seals" 82876 60986 2 [CDx4] Trésors - Moyen-Âge

Reviewed in:
Fanfare (Vol./#-p.): 22/4- (Marc/Apr 1999)

Ludus Danielis (the "Play of Daniel") is the richest of the medieval liturgical dramas for its sophistication and variety. The manuscript dates from c.1230, although the work is thought to have been performed in the later 12th century at Beauvais Cathedral.

The music is entirely monophonic as written, although there are various choruses and remarks on instrumental accompaniment. The present performance not only improvises various drone-style accompaniments, but even some "real" polyphony in the conductus settings.

Names given parenthentically for performers are voice roles.

Recordings devoted to other significant medieval dramas:

Adam de la Halle: Le jeu de Robin et Marion: Micrologus
Zig-Zag Territoires 040602
Hildegard: Ordo Virtutum: Sequentia
Deutsche Harmonia Mundi 77394 (2 CDs)
Les trois Maries: Messe grégorienne de Pâques
Ensemble Gilles Binchois - Dominique Vellard
Virgin Veritas 45398
Carmina Burana: Le Grand Mystère de la Passion
Ensemble Organum - Marcel Pérès
Harmonia Mundi 901323.24 (2 CDs)
Mysterium Passionis et resurrectionis: Clemencic Consort - René Clemencic
Nuova Era 7054

These citations frequently contain alternate citations for other recordings of the same cycles and for related material.

Some other programs of distinct material presented in a "ludus-like" manner:

Quem quæritis: Drames liturgiques au Moyen Age; Annuntiatio et Visitatio / Pastores / Planctus Mariæ / Resurrectio
Discantus - Brigitte Lesne
Opus 111 30-269
Canticum Canticorum: Il Simbolo Sacro dell'Amore nella Tradizione Musicale Medioevale
Ensemble Cantilena Antiqua - Stefano Albarello
Symphonia 95135

Other recordings of the present cycle:

Anonymous from Beauvais - Ludus Danielis: Liturgical Drama of the XII Century
Clemencic Consort - René Clemencic
Aura Classics 184
The Play of Daniel / The Play of Herod: New York Pro Musica - Noah Greenberg
MCA D2 10102 [CDx2]
Le Jeu de Daniel / Robert White: Lamentations de Jérémie: The Clerkes of Oxenford - David Wulstan
Calliope 9848
Le Jeu de Daniel: Hortus Musicus - Andres Mustonen
Chant du Monde LGX 78 660 [LP]
Ludus Danielis - The Play of Daniel: Pro Cantione Antiqua & The Landini Consort - Mark Brown, dir.
Decca "Serenata" 433 731-2
Play of Daniel: Schola Hungarica - Janka Szendrei
Hungaroton 12457
Daniel & the Lions: New York's Ensemble for Early Music - Frederick Renz
Fone 88 F 09-29
Ludus Danielis: Mystery Play of the 13th Century
Estampie, Münchner Ensemble für frühe Musik - Michael Popp
Christophorus 77144
Daniel: Opéra Sacré Médiéval - Daniel Medieval Sacred Opera
Ensemble Venance Fortunat - Anne-Marie Deschamps
L'Empreinte digitale ED 13 052
The Play of Daniel: The Dufay Collective
Harmonia Mundi 907479
The Play of Daniel: A 12th Century Mystery Play - Adaptation by Daniel Johnson
Texas Early Music Project Medieval Orchestra & Chorus - Daniel Johnson, dir.
Texas Early Music Project 2004-2005 Vol. 2

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Todd M. McComb

Ludus Danielis

Contents:

Belshazzar's Feast

The Writing on the Wall

At the Court of King Darius

Daniel in the Lions' Den

Daniel the Prophet