Personent hodie (Germany 1360, lyrics Sweden 1582)
Nous voici dans la ville (France, 15th century)
Noel nouvelet (France, traditional)
Coventry carol (England, 16th century)
The holly and the ivy (England, traditional)
Hail, Mary, full of grace (England, 15th century)
Sir Christemas (England, 15th century)
Masters in this hall (France, traditional)
A Feast of Songs is a lively collection of familiar and unusual traditional songs and dances from the middle ages that celebrate the winter season and its associated festivals and holidays. Songs from the British Isles, Ir... more »eland, Germany, France, Poland and Sweden blend medieval and renaissance tonalities with a festive folk energy that awakens the spirits of past ages.« less
A Feast of Songs is a lively collection of familiar and unusual traditional songs and dances from the middle ages that celebrate the winter season and its associated festivals and holidays. Songs from the British Isles, Ireland, Germany, France, Poland and Sweden blend medieval and renaissance tonalities with a festive folk energy that awakens the spirits of past ages.
CD Reviews
One of the Best Christmas CDs on the Planet
Karen A. Decoster | Detroit, MI | 12/05/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is holiday music from the middle ages, by Barry and Beth Hall. They do performances of my favorite antique classics such as _Masters in the Hall_, _Quem Pastores Laudavere_ (a 14th-century Latin chant, performance reminiscent of a midnight monastic Gregorian chant, with deep-toned church bells and ritual drumming); _Mors Vitae Propitia_ (high energy 12th-century French song from Piae Cantiones, sung in Latin and accompanied by vielle, lute, flute and percussion); _Personent Hodie_ (medieval song from the Piae Cantiones, sung in Latin and accompanied by recorders, vielle, lute and percussion); and _Nous Voici Dans La Ville_ (haunting traditional French melody, performed on fiddle, mandolin and recorder).Their sound is phenomenal, and this CD belongs in every Christmas collection."
The Best Medieval Christmas CD--Ever!
strega2 | USA | 12/31/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"What a find this remarkable CD is! If you love authentic Medieval music, played with the authentic instruments of its time and sung in the same way that a nobleman's court of the 14th or 15th Century might have heard it--this is the one for you. Beth and Barry Hall, both very gifted musicians, offer the finest collection of European Medieval carols I have yet found, and I have a large collection of the music of this period. A Bravissima performance to be savored all year round. Good Lords and Ladies all, grab this one!"
A "Must-Have!"
strega2 | 12/14/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If A Nonesuch Christmas was your favorite holiday album, rejoice! There is FINALLY a worthy successor.Barry and Beth Hall have compiled a collection of all our favorite Christmas music from the Middle Ages - and their performances put everyone else to shame.Including the lyrics would have been a nice touch, but those are available at many web sites, so I won't quibble. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!"
Loveliest christmas music ever
city7 | mountain view, CA USA | 07/18/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is on my playlist all year. I've never heard anything else that so beautifully captures the flavor of Christmas, in a way that brings to mind all of the richness, warmth, simplicity and sanctity of the medieval celebration. The flavor is not secular. This is just like drinking a steaming hot spiced wine in a cabin with a fireplace and a stone church visible from the window, full of meaning and warmth. The singing and instrumentation are really something else."
Track Listings (21) - Disc #1