CD · 1 disc
Alfonso Ferrabosco Jr was the son of an Italian musician who had worked at the court of Elizabeth I, where he composed mostly madrigals but also sacred pieces and instrumental works. He received an English upbringing and a full musical training, and he too held an official position at Court. Like his father, he composed madrigals and sacred music and among his collaborators was notable playright Ben Johnson. He gained a solid reputation as a violist and as a composer of instrumental works for viol and consort of viols. Alfonso Ferrabosco Jr. was the first to compose music which was entirely dedicated to the lyra viol. The lyra viol was a typical English instrument of the viola da gamba family mounted with six gut strings; more than fifty different tunings are documented, Ferrabosco using three of them. Among these pieces rank the Lessons for 1, 2 and 3 viols, which include the works for solo lyra viol here collected for the first time as a monographic edition and recorded by Paolo Biordi.“His style is effective and satisfying.” (American Record Guide)
This release compiles Cantigas de Santa Maria from Capella de Ministrers' recordings: El Grial (CDM1845), La Ruta de la Seda (CDM1743), Ramon Llull (CDM1640), Moresca (CDM1028), Musica Angelica (PMV004) and Lamento di Tristano (CDM0307). The edition of this album commemorates the 800th anniversary of the birth of Alfonso X el Sabio, the 10th anniversary of Early Music Morella and Xacobeo 2021. Ever since its foundation in 1987, the Capella de Ministrers ensemble, directed by Carles Magraner, has developed an important investigative and musicological task in favor of the musical Spanish patrimony, from the medieval times up to the 19th century. The result transformed into musical testimony, brings together the perfection of three key factors: the historical rigor, the musical sensibility and, specially, an uncontrollable desire to communicate and they make us participants of these experiences.
Barcelona, 2003. Five recorder students almost blow their teacher away. “This sounds so good,” he says, “you have to keep playing together.” That’s what they do. Hailing from four different countries, they continue to visit each other after their studies. They buy an insanely beautiful set of Renaissance instruments, they mold their sound, and they start looking and keep looking. Today B-Five has become one of the best recorder ensembles in the world. Their organic sound, their superior craftsmanship, but especially their intense musicality, convince the press and public everywhere. Renaissance consort music is at the heart of B-Five’s artistic soul. But just as often, B-Five takes on contemporary works composed to match their beautiful flutes. The players of B-Five set the standard for what a recorder ensemble can be concert after concert. Unique and intimate. Often melancholy, sometimes light-hearted and always deeply moving. On their latest recording B-Five present pavans and almaines by Alfonso Ferrabosco I & II.
Renaissance English Recorders' with Julien Martin and the Résonances Consort revisits almost a century of music making and music publishing, corresponding roughly to the reigns of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I. The repertoire is selected from various sources including two highly important publications of instrumental music: John Dowland’s Lachrimae from 1604 and Anthony Holborne’s Pavans, Galliards & Almains from 1599. The tradition of playing harpsichords in ‘consort’ was widespread in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. To recreate that sound, Skip Sempé, Olivier Fortin and Emmanuel Frankenberg perform music played on virginals and harpsichord.
The feats of King Arthur and his Knights have inspired artistic creation in many art forms. In this disc we hear how troubadours spread their stories and we journey through twelfth-, thirteenth- and fourteenth-century Europe to encounter the Arthurian musical traditions of Germany, Spain, France and England. Full of allusions to legend, and also to contemporary events, the songs are masterpieces of their time. The composers include Alonso X el Sabio of Spain and Richard the Lionheart, whose Je nulls homs priz is one of the most beautiful of all medieval songs.
CD · 2 discs
Drawing on a wealth of original compositions for guitar duo, the Amadeus Guitar Duo here presents a superb selection of works which conjure up the heat of South America and the sultry passion of Southern Europe. From the Baroque influences in the music of Heitor Villa-Lobos and Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco to the innovative techniques used by Bolivian-born Jaime Mirtenbaum Zenamon, this recording is sure to evoke Images of the South in the mind of any listener.
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REVIEWS
An extremely well executed, and thoroughly entertaining and unhackneyed hour-long recital, where established masters like Rodrigo and Tárrega rub shoulders with contemporary composers like Alfonso Montes.…thoroughly recommended.
© 2016 Classic FM
Drawing on a wealth of original compositions for guitar duo, the Amadeus Guitar Duo presents a selection of works which conjure up the heat of South America and the passion of Southern Europe. From the Baroque influences in the music of Heitor Villa-Lobos and Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco to the innovative techniques used by Bolivian-born Jaime Mirtenbaum Zenamon, this recording is sure to evoke Images of the South in the mind of any listener.
© 2016 WFMT
Naxos, the world's leading classical music group, supports the Alzheimer's Association with the release of the Purple Classics series. Each release in this new series of 10 recordings features approximately 2 hours of classical music on 2 CDs. For every CD sold through June 23, 2017, Naxos will donate $.50 to the Alzheimer's Association, with a minimum donation of $25,000,to advance their efforts in Alzheimer's care, support and research.
