Search - Jordi Savall, Al-Darwish, Hesperion XXI :: Jérusalem [Includes Book] [Hybrid SACD]

Wonderful and interesting collection

Daniel Ponder | 07/24/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is quite a fascinating cd. It includes a large book in 8 languages, and two very interesting cds.



The music on here is a collection of early works and compositions that consist of chant, songs, dances and texts that are spoken and sung from the Qa'ran, the Bible, and the Talmud. There are also texts in Greek, Latin, French, Aramaic, and Ladino that reflect the range of Jewish peoples and crusaders that seek out this important religious center.



The playing is above par and masterfully executed by Jordi Savall and specialists in early music, Hebrew music and Arabic chant and dance. You really get a feel for the music of the people that have occupied and fought over this land. The book is interesting, full of texts and translations - a little apocalyptic and overly zionist, but very interesting, my main complaint is that there isn't much of musicological value that discusses the sources and background to the music. There's a bit, but not quite the usual information found in other Savall cds.



I would reccomend anyone who is interested in early music, world music, and historical and sacred texts to understand and further appreciate the value of Jerusalem."

Ambitious, but Savall's Reach Exceeds His Grasp

Paul Van de Water | Virginia, USA | 01/01/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"In two well-filled CDs, Jordi Savall, wife Montserrat Figureras, and colleagues attempt to paint a picture of Jerusalem's history in sound. The recording begins with the sound of shofars in a Jericho fanfare, which is presumably intended to evoke Joshua's circumnavigation of that other city. Following sections comprise a selection of music and texts representative of the Jerusalem's time as a Jewish, Christian, and Arab/Ottoman city, as well as songs of pilgrimage and lament over the holy city. Spoken texts include excerpts from the Talmud, Koran, a non-canonical gospel, and Pope Urban's call to the first crusade.



Savall's ensemble Hesperion XXI is joined by singers and instrumentalists from Israel, Palestine, Armenia, Greece, Morocco, and elsewhere. The music from Palestine is played by the Sufi Group Al- Darwish. The performances are superb, and the SACD sound is first-rate. "The whole thing has the sense of a scrupulous piece of historical and musicological research," as Andrew Clements has written in the Guardian, "even if it doesn't all gel into a satisfying experience." In May 2010 Savall is bringing this program to the Boston Early Music Festival, and I suspect that the program may be more effective in concert than on disc.



The accompanying book is beautifully done but reaches 435 pages in length only because it is in eight languages. As a previous reviewer has noted, the essays focus on the history of Jerusalem and its musical tradition and provide relatively little detail about the specific selections in the recording."

Excellent work

Joseph J. Iii Sackman | Long Island, NY | 01/30/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I enjoy both contemporary and classic works from Philip Glass to the Medieval Babes, Jerusalem fits closer the latter. It is an interesting fusion of mid eastern and european work.

I really like listening to this album and recommend it to anyone who enjoys this kind of music as well."