Music of the Crusades

Music of the Crusades
The Early Music Consort of London - David Munrow
London Jubilee (Decca Serenata) 430 264

Contents:

  1. Anon., French 13th century: La quinte estampie reale
  2. Marcabru: Pax in nomine Domini!
  3. Anon., French: Parti de mal
  4. Anon., French: Chevalier, mult estes guariz
  5. Guiot de Dijon: Chanterai por mon corage
  6. Anon., French 13th century: Danse Real
  7. Anon., French: Sede, Syon, in pulvere
  8. Walther von der Vogelweide: Palästinalied
  9. Anon., French 13th century: Condicio - O nacio - Mane prima
  10. Anon., French: O tocius Asie
  11. Anon., French 13th century: La uitime estampie reale
  12. Anon., French: Cum sint difficilia
  13. Le Châtelain de Coucy: Li noviaus tens
  14. Gaucelm Faidit: Fortz chausa es
  15. Anon., French 13th century: Je ne puis - Amors me tienent - Veritatem
  16. Conon de Béthune: Ahi! Amours
  17. Anon., French 13th century: La tierche estampie reale
  18. Richard Coeur de Lion: Ja nus hons pris
  19. Thibaut de Champagne: Au tens plain de felonnie

Performers: Christina Clarke (soprano), James Bowman (countertenor), Charles Brett (countertenor), Nigel Rogers (tenor), Geoffrey Shaw (baritone), David Munrow (recorder, flute, shawn, crumhorn & bagpipes), Eleanor Sloan (treble rebec), Oliver Brookes (bass rebec), James Tyler (lute & citole), Gillian Reid (bells), Christopher Hogwood (harp, organ, nakers & tabor), James Blades (nakers & tabor

Playing time: 52'

Recording date: 1970

See also: Argo 673 (original LP)

We have here an already-old recording, but the sense of rhythm and the sincerity of the restitution could probably pass centuries, in my opinion. We may hear in this CD interpreters who have become famous afterward. This is one explanation for the excellence of this disc. Another is the presence of David Munrow, playing with an extraordinary virtuosity and breathing life into all the pieces. His ornamentation is always clever and perfectly played (Quinte estampie reale), the sound of the flute soft and charming (Chanterai i por mon corage), the choice of the instruments, the tempi, the pieces chosen to illustrate the crusades' time, everything contributes here to produce a desert island CD. For me, the age has nothing to do with it: this disc goes on speaking to my heart and my spirit; that's all I can ask of a record.

Bruno Cornec

Some other programs of broad scope from the medieval era, featuring some minstrel-like styles:

A Golden Treasury of Mediæval Music
Sine Nomine
Amon Ra 63
The Muses' Gift
The Renaissance Players - Winsome Evans
Walsingham 8003
Middle Ages Music
Trinity Baroque / The Forbury Consort / The Holbein Consort
Griffin 4001

To purchasing information for this disc.

To FAQ references to this recording.

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Todd M. McComb