Search - Obsidienne, Bonnardot :: Venite a Laudare: Sacred Music in France & Italy

Infectious enthusiasm

Sator | Sydney, Australia | 06/21/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD by the excellent Parisian ensemble Obsidienne is a thorough delight from start to finish. The whole program is a wonderful traversal of the Renaissance concentrating largely on music of the 15th century but also the 16th century, including both secular and sacred laudi, all of which are expertly chosen to form a highly satisfying experience. The highly appropriate inclusion of instrumental laudi also add further colour to the selection, with the wonderful use of the cornamuse. The opening Venite a Laudare will have you dancing in your seat - if not nothing will. The most substantial work in this collection is probably the Agricola, who is in any case a sorely under-recorded composer - if you like this colourful if eccentric composer then this CD is worth acquiring for this alone.



This CD also received the highly prestigious five star rating from Goldberg magazine.



Highly recommended."

Uneven but joyful and interesting

John Ekberg | Denmark | 03/15/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This cd contains music from the whole rennaisance (15. and 16. centuries) and the mixture is a bit uneven to my opinion, also because liturgical music is mixed with examples of popular laudas. But still it is one of my favourite cd's, since it contains fascinating pieces like Ciconia's "Gloria Spiritus et alme" from about 1400. And the "laudes" are sung with much joy and enthusiasm that infects the listener."