Search - English Anonymous, Research Composer, Jehannot de l'Escurel :: The Dufay Collective:Miri It Is

Remarkable

gaios33 | Berkeley, CA | 04/06/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is an exceptional recording. Both the vocals and the instrumentals are flawless and comfortable in both the medieval and the English folk idioms. I can't have enough praises for John Potter; his voice is extremely expressive, and can move from frantic intensity to honey-sweet richness. He NEVER lapses into opera or any vocal practice that would sound "classical" to the modern ear, as many singers of medieval music are wont to do. And, in a remarkable leap of insight (albeit one they have used on a few other recordings), the male instrumentalists lend their vocals to several pieces. This is an excellent choice in that their untrained voices lend an exceptional air of authenticity to the recording. Their renditions of the Latin polyphonic pieces and "campfire sing-alongs" sound like field recordings of English folk polyphony; it is commendable indeed when an early music recording can do this correctly and believably; as yet, only the Dufay Collective has been able to get folksy enough.And the instrumentals! The vielles especially can float airily or grind dramatically (true levels of virtuosity are reached in the Song of the Flood as the vielle is used to comment on the happenings in the tale). The harp is sweetly played, and "Ar ne kuth ich sorghe non" (Formerly I knew no sorrow) will bring tears to your eyes with its tender simplicity. An anonymous dance sounds like a village revel; I've heard this dance recorded a number of times, but never has it sounded like this: joyous, raw, and utterly British Isles. Even the organist jams on the keys in his solo estampie!"

Atmospherically wonderful!

gaios33 | 01/05/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Listen to the last track here " Summer is Come" with your eyes shut and you will be transported to a village in the middle ages, just as the garden begins to grow. While some of the tunes here are presented in a more somber mood than should be, there is much to delight the ear."