"One of my favorite cancioneros ,and one that I recommend to all.It is performed on period instruments,and it contains romances,songs from about the times of the "reconquista",instrumental pieces, pieces for viols, and solos for vihuela. One of my favorite pieces of this is track 14 Danza Alta by Francisco de la Torre,it's an intrumental piece for viols and recorder.This music that was performed at the court of King Don Fernando de Aragon.It is hard of finding recordings of Cancioneros at budget price so take advantage of this one...It's really good"
Very good
conquistador69 | 07/11/1999
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Another 4 stars, though I don't share the reviewer from Australia's reservations about the lack of rasp in the singing. Who really knows how these notes were sung? It's a matter of personal preference. Alround a very good recording but not "the definitive" version of these songs (we may never have that). There is a companion disc by Wimmer : Early Music - Sephardic Romances which, like this one, has Spanish texts and English translations. (Naxos) 553617. There is also another recording of similar material on Naxos : Royal Songbook, by Thorby and Musica Antiqua London - but that is marred by lack of texts or translations. (Naxos 553325)And a final recommendation : Music of the Spanish Renaissance / Shirley Rumsey / Recorded 1991 / Spanish texts and English translations. 550614"
They're at it again!
conquistador69 | 08/07/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The players here (also known as Unicorn and Oni Wytars) are among the very few truly brilliant early music performers. Not for them the dry, desiccated path of passionless scholarship! Unlike almost every other instrumental early music ensemble (and I've surveyed a LOT), they display fully engaged, scintillating musicianship at every turn. Their unconventional performance decisions tend to cut them out of critics' golden lists -- most of this music shouldn't really be considered authentically presented -- but such objections go lame and impotent before the vivacity and improvisational panache saturating this CD...along with their MANY others!"
Some very lively and lovely music
altaringa@hotmail.com | Australia | 02/28/1999
(4 out of 5 stars)
"After centuries of Arabic and Jewish influence, the new music of Spain born at the court of Ferdinand and Isabella had all the strength of European melody with all the richness of rhythm and chromatic freedom of Northern Africa and the East. The performances by Ensemble Accentus do full justice to this music - largely because it and its director, Thomas Wimmer, have delved into and brilliantly performed the Jewish Sephardic music of old Spain. My only complaints are that there is not enough music here by Juan del Encina; and the singers do not understand the texture of old music. Most singers strive for purity and smoothness of voice and register, but the Renaissance loved loud, deep, rich, overtoned and raspy voices: voices with the sting of crumhorns and hurdy-gurdies. Here we hear some of the instruments played well, but not the larynxes which should accompany them. Nonetheless, a valuable and enjoyable CD for any fan of this era. [SW]"