Search - Sylvain Bergeron, La Nef :: Perceval: The Quest for the Grail, Vol. 2

La Nef continues the story of Perceval from "Volume 1"

Brianna Neal | USA | 11/28/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"While the tone of many of the tracks is a bit darker (Perceval is older now and reflecting on his mistakes), the motets of combined motifs are even more compellingly beautiful than in Volume 1, and track #20 brings it all to a satisfying and multi-layered conclusion. Daniel Taylor returns as Perceval, and the combination of early stringed instruments with tin whistle and recorder continues to evoke an enticing atmosphere hovering somewhere between Celtic, medieval and modern. The name of this Canadian ensemble, "La Nef," is French for "ship", and can also mean that section of a church's interior (the "nave") where people sit or stand to worship. I find it a fitting name, since their music is quite transporting, and were I sitting in a church listening to them perform, as I have done with other early music groups, I would likely be feeling quite worshipful of the quality of their music-making. La Nef has three other releases, also on the Dorian Label: "Montsegur: The Tragedy of the Cathars", "Music for Joan the Mad", and "The Garden of Earthly Delights". These recordings contain more standard, period fare, though well done to be sure. In "Montsegur", Bergeron begins arranging motets to bring together previously-played musical motifs, but it is in "Perceval" that the technique finds full and most satisfying realization."

Time Travelling Made Fun

Tom LePen | Bronx, NY United States | 10/24/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"My girlfriend and I stumbled upon this CD while searching for other CD's in the Classical Music section of a major music retailer. Since always being interested in Medieval art, literature and music, we took a chance(actually she did it!) and we cannot stop listening to this gem. The music and presentation takes one back to the days of Knights and Maidens, Feasts and Battles, Castles and Kings and Queens. It's a very soothing sound with unique instruments and exceptional voices and sung in the beautiful French language....which I happen to be a big fan of!
Fine production and lengthy playing time makes this CD the most economic time travel around!"

Beautifully done

Ruth H. Cross | Houston, Texas United States | 01/07/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the second part of La Nef's setting of the French Perceval text; buy part one too if you can find it. La Nef has used mostly folk tunes to set the medieval text. They tend to use the same tunes over and over, but the varations are interesting, and the singing and playing are gorgeous. I found it lovely, soothing and uplifting."