Troubadour and Minstrel Music

Lo Gai Saber: Troubadour and Minstrel Music 1100-1300
Camerata Mediterranea - Joel Cohen
Erato 2292 45647-2 [CD]

Contents:

  1. Martim Codax (m): Ondas do mar
    Anon., catalan, 12th c, attr. to Raimbaut de Vaqueiras (t) / Martim Codax (m): Altas undas que venez suz la mar
  2. Gaucelm Faidit (t): Del gran golfe de mar
  3. Peire Vidal (tm): Pos tornatz sui en Proenca
  4. Peire Vidal (t) / Conon de Bethune (m): Ab l'alen tir vas me l'aire
  5. Sordello di Mantova (t) / Anon, 13th c. (m): Er, quan renovella e gensa
  6. Bertrand de Born (tm): Bel m'es quan vei chamjar lo senhoratge
  7. Comtessa de Dia (t) / Anon., ca 1200 (m): Ab joi et ab joven m'apais
  8. Shira Kammen, 20th c.: Danca dels dos domnas (instrumental)
  9. Raimon d'Avignon (t): Sirvens sui avutz et arlotz
  10. Raimbault de Vaqueiras (t) / Adam de la Halle (m): Dona, tant vos ai preiada
  11. Anon, 13th c. (t) / Anon, 13th c. (m): Domna, pos vos ai chausida
  12. Guillaume IX de Poitiers (t) / Anon., ca 1200 (m): Ab la dolchor del temps novel
  13. Rogeret de Cambrai (tm) & occitanian transl., 13th c.: Nouvele amor qui si m'agrée & Novel'amor que tant m'agreia
  14. Bernard de Ventadorn (tm): Lancan vei la folha
  15. Marcabru (tm): Dirai vos senes duptansa
  16. Peire Cardenal (tm): Ar mi puesc ieu lauzar d'amor
  17. Cheryl Ann Fulton, 20th c. Lo freg temps (instrumental)
    Azalais de Porcairagues (t): Ar em al freg temps vengut
  18. Guiraut Riquier (t) / Bernard de Ventadorn (m): Be'm degra de chantar tener
  19. Peire Cardenal (tm): Un sirventes novel vueill comensar
    Anon., 12th c. (t) / Anon., 12th c. (m): Judicii signum (Chant de la Sibylle)
  20. Anon., 12th c. (t) / Anon., 12th c. (m): O Maria Deu maire (chant)
  21. Guillaume d'Autpol (t) / Martim Codax (m): Esperanza de totz ferms esperans
    Martim Codax (tm): Ondas do mar

Performers: Anne Azéma (voice), Joel Cohen (lute, cittern, percussion, voice), Cheryl Ann Fulton (harp), François Harismendy (voice), Shira Kammen (vielle, rebec, harp), Jean-Luc Madier (voice)

Playing time: 64'

Recording date: July 1990

Excerpts:
[1], [9]-[10] Erato 4509-91777-2 Music and Memory - Musiques et Mémoires

Many composers are represented in this collection (including anonymous work), both in French and Provençal (Occitan). There is a wide variety of interpretation, though articulation of the text is always the driving force. Many different instruments are used in accompaniment; some tracks are spoken.

In some cases, texts do not survive with melodies, and so other melodies were chosen for performance. Attributions for (t) text and (m) melody are given above. The instrumental interludes were composed by members of the ensemble.

Another recording, featuring music by the greatest of the troubadours, Bernart de Ventadorn (c.1125-c.1195):

Le fou sur le pont
Bernart de Ventadorn
Camerata Mediterranea - Joel Cohen
Erato 94825

A program devoted specifically to music of the Galician troubadour Martin Codax (fl.c.1230):

Cantigas de Amigo
Ensemble Alcatraz / Kitka
Dorian 90285

Another trobador program of similar scope to the present:

Trobadors
Courtly love in the Middle Ages
Ensemble Capella de Ministrers - Carles Magraner
Licanus "Capella de Ministrers" 0308

And a few recordings of comparable material by the present artists:

Tristan et Iseult
Une legende du Moyen-Age en musique et en poesie
Boston Camerata - Joel Cohen
Erato 98482
The Sacred Bridge
Jews & Christians in Medieval Europe
Boston Camerata - Joel Cohen
Erato 45513
The Unicorn
Chants et miracles du moyen-age français, 1200-1300
Anne Azema / Camerata Mediterranea
Erato 94830

Also, see the Joel Cohen Discography page.

To purchasing information for this disc.

To FAQ references to this recording.

To FAQ CD index page.

Todd M. McComb