Search - Gregorio Pagiagua :: Music of Ancient Greece

The other pillar of our Western musical tradition

07/07/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I often recommend this recording along with "La musique de la Bible revelee" (another Harmonia Mundi recording, likewise sold by Amazon.com) as a good introduction to the music that was extant in late Old Testament and and New Testament times. (The only thing missing from this recording are the wonderful liner notes from the original LP. If you want a copy of the text, e-mail me. It's well worth having.)The music you will hear on this recording (much of it sacred music from various Greek temples, and all treated by Atrium Musicae with its usual panache) was contemporary with the music of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, itself the heir of the music of biblical times. Both this recording and the above-mentioned recording of "biblical chant" will surprise you with their "modernity". This is because ancient Greek and Hebrew music form the two main pillars of our own Western musical tradition. (There really is nothing new under the sun.)Years ago, a young friend of mine suggested that the "Hymn to Nemesis" on this recording, were it only a little faster, would make a great punk rock song. See if you agree. (I did, when I put the original 33rpm LP on 45rpm!)"

Highly evocative

06/15/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this CD, unheard, years ago (I thought the cover looked interesting) and was well rewarded for taking a chance. There is very creative, but not jarring, use of dissonance; the voices, whether speaking, singing or chanting, are just right for the mood; and the whole is extremely atmospheric. At times it reminds me of Nino Rota or Japanese No. This is a bizarre and wonderful CD and I highly recommend it to students of Classical studies or anyone with a sense of theatre."

A powerful interpetation of ancient Greek music.

11/29/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I first heard this material by way of a friend from Osaka Japan and have been looking for it since. It has provocative, visual overtones that almost let you see what you are hearing even if you don't understand the language. These are after all, fragements of what may have been parts of songs and it is no easy task to accuratly represent the original sounds or presentation, but of the two versions, I feel this does it in a way that at least is enjoyable regardless of the accuracy."