November 10, 2003
Music in the Time of Dante - playlist
Recommended Recordings for Music in the Time of Dante.
This is not a complete list, but just a few picks of discs that I used for my lecture on Music in the Time of Dante (although I did not play examples from all of them, due to time constraints, they were all on hand). Most of it is 13th and 14th century material, although I included some earlier material for background listening. These are all from CDs, as I was too busy (or lazy) to burn selections from LP to a CD to play demonstrations of. If you have any questions on any of these discs, or would like further recommendations on music of the period, please let me know and I will hopefully be of use.
Gregorian Chant/Gregorianischer Choral
Choralschola der Wiener Hofburgkapelle under the direction of Fr. Hubert Dopf S.J.
Philips, catalog number 411 140-2, although I would guess that if it is still in print it has a new number.
I hear plenty of Gregorian chant on Sundays, and can sing it myself if I want to hear a melody from the Liber Usualis, so I don’t have that much in my collection, so I list this one only because I used it. I would recommend, however, avoiding those awful CHANT recordings from the Spanish monks. You could do better organizing a dozen neighbors to form a chant choral group.
Music of the Gothic Era
The Early Music Consort of London under the direction of David Munrow
Archiv Productions, Catalog number 471 731-2
A good compilation of Notre Dame school organum, as well as ars antiqua and ars nova. Well performed, although generally reflects accepted performance practices of the mid 1970’s, so if you are looking for cutting edge research to be reflected, this is not the disc to get. Otherwise I would call this 2-cd set the package to buy if you only want to spring for one title of this kind of music in your collection.
Love’s Illusion: Music from the Montpellier Codex (13th Century)
Anonymous 4
harmoni mundi france
HMU 907109
The Montpellier Codex is one of the most important sources we have for 13th c. music. The Anonymous 4 are a fine ensemble who really do justice to the material.
The Way of the Pilgrim: Medieval Songs of Travel
The Toronto Consort under the direction of David Fallis
Dorian Recordings
DOR 93214
Mostly 13th c. material, well performed.
Music of the Crusades
The Early Music Consort of London under the direction of David Munrow
London
430 264-2
Some great 13th c. stuff on here, mostly French.
Music for a Medieval Banquet
The Newberry Consort
Harmonia mundi/Classical Express series
HCX 3957038
Italian ars nova, with pieces by Landini, Ciconia, and Bologna. Great recording at a budget price. The only drawback is the ugly packaging.
Le Roman de Fauvel
Dominique Visse, Anne Azema, Ensemble Project Ars Nova, The Boston Camerata, under the direction of Joel Cohen
Erato
4509-96392-2
This is a great reconstruction of the incredibly important Roman de Fauvel, in which 167 pieces of music were included in a great early work of political satire. I must warn you that this recording might be a bit much for the average listener, as it includes recitations from the Roman as well as the music examples. It is well worth it, and the notes are quite good.
Saint Francis and the Minstrels of God
Altramar Medieval Music Ensemble
Dorian Discovery
DIS 80143
These folks have taken texts from St. Francis as well as his early followers and have set them to melodies from laudi spirituali from two manuscripts. While the results are not really reconstructions of early pieces, they certainly capture the spirit and are wonderfully musical. Highly recommended.
Acantus
Acantus
Gimell
CDGIM 516
These folks are trying to show connections between 14th c. music and modern Italian folk music, which, while based on a large grain of truth, can be dangerous, as one can get carried away. However, they are excellent musicians, have done their homework, and the record is a fun one.
A Dance in the Garden of Mirth: Medieval instrumental music
The Dufay Collective
Chandos
CHAN 9320
Speaking of affinities between modern Italian folk music and medieval music, take a listen to the saltarelli and trotto and compare to the current saltarello tradition. A great disc, full of fun dance pieces.
The Courts of Love: Music from the Time of Eleanor of Aquitaine
Sinfonye under the direction of Stevie Wishart
Hyperion
CDA66367
Chominciamento di gioa: Virtuoso dance-music from the time of Boccaccio’s Decamerone
Ensemble Unicorn
Naxos
The music on this disc is great, but I can’t speak to the notes, because I borrowed this from a friend, and did not have the booklet. Some great saltarelli and trotti.
The Medieval & Renaissance Harp
Elena Polanska, Harp with La Camerata
Vox/Turnabout
PVT 7146
Good music, well played.