Search - Gothic Voices, Page :: Spirits of England & France 3

Gothic Voices, Page
Spirits of England & France 3
Genres: Special Interest, Pop, Classical

Track Listings (18) - Disc #1
1. Qui veut mesdire
2. Amoreux suy
3. Adieu mon amoreuse joye
4. Pour une fois
5. Ay! doloureux
6. Un petit oyeselet
7. Abide, I Hope
8. Laissies ester
9. Se liesse
10. Descendi in ortum meum
11. Gloria
12. Magnificat secundi toni
13. Beata Dei genitrix
14. Se la belle
15. J'ayme bien celui
16. Il m'est avis
17. Exultavit cor in Domino
18. En Katrina solennia

CD Details

All Artists: Gothic Voices, Page
Title: Spirits of England & France 3
Members Wishing: 1
Total Copies: 0
Label: Hyperion UK
Release Date: 10/17/1995
Genres: Special Interest, Pop, Classical
Styles: Vocal Pop, Opera & Classical Vocal, Historical Periods, Early Music
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 034571167831

Synopsis

Amazon.com

Somewhere along the way, the melodic and rhythmic freedom and spontaneity characteristic of much of the music of the 14th and 15th centuries were replaced by a more refined, formalized, and, thus, less sensual style. Music that once arose primarily from human emotion began more and more to appeal to or depend on the intellect. No less intellect was behind the creation of the older music; it was just directed toward different ends. The music on this disc, much of it by 15th-century singer/composer Gilles Binchois, will be a revelation to most listeners. Its phenomenal melodic invention and beauty, the unbelievably complex rhythmic structures, and the overwhelming sensuality of pieces such as "Ay! Doloureux" by Binchois or the anonymous three-part song "Abide, I Hope" will make you stop and listen especially carefully--and most likely will encourage new respect for something old that suddenly seems newer than any contemporary song. --David Vernier

CD Reviews

Haunting

hcf | 11/26/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is my favorite Gothic Voices recording. The program, entitled "Binchois and his contemporaries," is somewhat eclectic, combining secular and religious pieces of disparate qualities and purposes (including even a piece by Machaut, hardly a Binchois contemporary), but the singing is superb. The singing here is unaccompanied, but the program also includes four songs played on a trio of lutes. The highlight of the disc are two three-part songs by Binchois: Amoreux sui and Ay! doloureux. As far as I'm concerned, these are some of the best love songs ever written. In addition to being hauntingly melodic, these melancholy songs are also characterized by some very interesting chromatic alterations that create, in the words of Christopher Page, a "bitter-sweet" effect. The poignancy of a lost love has rarely been so well captured. Paul Agnew is spectacular as the cantus in Ay! doloureux. Another piece on this disc that deserves a separate mention is Dunstable's three-part Beata Dei genitrix, with the top line expertly sung by Rogers Covey-Crump. Related CD's: Gilles Binchois Mon Souverain Desir/Ens. Gilles Binchois, Virgin Veritas 5 45285 6; and John Dunstable Motets/The Hilliard, Virgin Veritas 5 61342 2. --gggimpy@yahoo.com"