Performers: Anne-Marie Lablaude (soprano), Brigitte Lesne (mezzo-soprano, harp, tambourine), Dominique Vellard (tenor, lute), Emmanuel Bonnardot (baritone, vielle), Jean-Paul Racodon (recitation), Pierre Hamon (recorders, bagpipe, flutes), Randall Cook (vielle)
Playing time: 68'
Recording date: October 1988
Compilation:
Brilliant classics 94217 [CDx3 + CD-ROM]
Guillaume de Machaut c1300-1: Sacred and Secular Music
Excerpts:
[4], [13], [16] Cantus C 9705/6 Dictionary
of Medieval & Renaissance Instruments
As noted in the contents, this recording includes some short spoken poems in addition to a wide variety of vocal & instrumental performance. Besides these items from Machaut's major poetic works, there is a fine selection from his musical output. The opening monophonic virelai is performed with improvised instrumental accompaniment, while in the other pieces there is one line allocated to each performer. The basic style of instrumental articulation is derived from vocal technique in keeping with the lyrical nature of the music.
There is such an incredible luminosity and intelligent articulation here that it's difficult not to try harder to this performance. Nothing else compares.
A companion volume:
A program by an overlapping ensemble:
A solo recording by one of the present performers, in similar style:
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Todd M. McComb