Firminus Caron: Masses and Chansons
The Sound and the Fury
Fra Bernardo 1207302

This 3 cd edition unites the already existing recordings of the masses L'homme armé und Accueilly ma la belle with new recordings of the Masses Sanguis Sanctorum und Jesus Autem and some chansons. The earlier recordings are a little rougher but more transparent and with more rhythmical drive. Unfortunately, some of the recordings are also of inexplicably low quality. It is, however, a very important addition to the  current catalogue of Caron's work.

Soundfiles

Busnoys Chansons
Asteria (Sylvia Rhyne and Eric Redlinger)

It is with great pleasure that we recommend this cd with chansons by Antoine Busnoys around the story of Jaqueline d'Haqueville. Finally these extremely refined and important chansons are now available again. One can feel immediately that Asteria has a free and emotional approach with a nice balance between feeling and jazzy drive, to a repertoire they are very accustomed to. Almost for the first time one can hear the right tempo which is normally taken much slower. Sylvia and Eric sing the upper voices and Eric plays the third voice on the lute, a very satisfying solution and accoustically well presented. The only wish one might have is a more present diction where one can feel that poetry is the initiator and music the consequence and not the other way round.

The cd can be bought via internet, see below:

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Agricola Instrumentalfantasien
Ensemble Leones
Christophorus 77368

After an already very promising recording of Josquin fantasias Leones presents a new cd with fantasias of one of the great inventors of the second half of the 15th century. There are quite some recordings of theses pieceds available but this is an exemplary rendition. Very lively musicality, the necessary jazzy feeling, colourful instrumentation and good recording accoustiques.

Glogauer Liederbuch
Sabine Lutzenberger, Martin Hummel, Marc Lewon, Dulce Melos
Naxos 8572576

The Glogauer Liederbuch is an extremely extensive collection of secular and sacred songs, the first collection in part books. The singing is sometimes too rich to my taste, but thus close to the purpose of this collection: music for amateurs. Fine instrumental play.

Audiofiles 

Cesena - Music of the Codex Chantilly
Graindelavoix
Glossa GCD P32106

Shortly after the publication of the Chantilly pieces by Tetraktys quite a different version with strong alterations of colours and quarter tones etc., interpreting the texts quite strongly. Unfortunately, there are no translations of the complex texts given and only very superficial and short notes. This is not what one can expect from a serious artist such as Björn Schmelzer!

Codex Chantilly
Ensemble Tetractys
Etcetera Ktc 1905

Very refined repertoire of the so called Ars Subtilior. The playing is very sensitive albeit a little too tame. The singing is beautiful but the text not always very present. More consonants please!

Audiofiles

Josquin instrumental fantasie
Ensemble Leones
Christophorus 4929549

Instrumental fantasies of the last third of the 15th century are not very well known. The present interpretation is in many respects exemplary. The origin in free improvisation is still present in a very immediate and lively approach of the players. Very good balance between single voices and a common breath. The instruments are wonderfully warm and speaking, as is the solo voice of Raitis Grigalis. Very good sound recording.

Audiofiles 

Music from the Ms. Krasinski (Poland around 1440)
Musica Divina
Bearton CDB034

In 1944 the Germans burnt down the famous Krasinski library. Thousands of manuscripts and prints vanished in the flames. Thus we have today a very little idea of Polish music in the Renaissance. Miraculously one manuscript survived the flames. Composers like Mikolaj of Radom had international standing, as we can hear now in comparison with e. g. Ciconia. Musica Divina sings rather mainstream, but the repertoire is very much worth being discovered.

Alexander Agricola, Missa In mynen zin and Chansons/Motets
Capilla Flamenca
Ricercar Ric 306

Agricola is very fashionable these days. Once more an excellent recording with Capilla Flamenca. Wonderful phrasing and musical sensuality. 

Vivat Leo - Music from the papal court in the Codex Medici
Cappella Pratensis, Joshua Rifkin
Works by Willaert, de la Fage, Motun, Josquin, de Silva and Festa
Challenge Classics CC 72366  

This CD is exemplary in every respect. Perfectly clear text, wonderful phrasing, every voice individually recognizable, great musicality. Also, a beautiful mixture of familiar works and new discoveries. And not to be underestimated: a booklet equally well written for amateurs and professionals!