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Leaf Music

Menestrel

Medieval Spiritual Melancholic Romantic Serene
$18.99

Details

Composer
Henri du Bailly, Gilles Binchois, John Dowland, Pierre Guedron, Claudio Monteverdi, Josquin des Prez
Artist
Menestrel
Format
CD
Label
Leaf Music
Released
Mar 20, 2026
Catalog #
LM305
UPC
3191684112114

About

Ménestrel-the Canadian early music ensemble of soprano-violinist Janelle Lucyk and tenor-lutenist Kerry Bursey-mix ancient repertoire with Canadian oral folk traditions. In an age defined by acceleration and artifice, their debut album, Ménestrel, reaches backward, not to escape the modern world, but to examine it's emotional roots. They gather songs drawn from several centuries and traditions, from the luminous melancholy of John Dowland to the ardent intimacy of Barbara Strozzi, from the refined contours of French Renaissance chanson to the rugged sincerity of Celtic and English folk ballads. The name ménestrel refers to the medieval minstrel, a musician who moved between written and oral traditions and carried songs across regions and generations. Janelle and Kerry draw on that lineage as they bring early music and folk repertoire into close conversation. Their approach highlights the continuity between these traditions, focusing on clarity, text, and the shared expressiveness that links courtly song with vernacular melody. Formed in 2019, Ménestrel bridges historical performance and Canadian oral folk traditions, and the ensemble has given performances and collaborated with singers and choirs in all of Canada's 13 provinces and territories. Janelle Lucyk is a singer and producer among an emerging generation of Canadian artists specializing in early music and historically informed performance, taking ideas from conception to the stage. Kerry Bursey is a tenor and plucked string instrumentalist whose voice is appreciated for it's luminous quality, and as a sought-after lutenist, he is also invested in the rare practice of self-accompaniment in early and folk music of northwestern traditions. Their concerts aim to demystify early music, juxtaposing it next to folk songs, which are songs of the people.

Tracklist 20 tracks

  1. 1 Spancil Hill 02:53
    Track
    1
    Title
    Spancil Hill
    Duration
    02:53
    Composer
    Michael Considine
    Ensemble
    Ménestrel
  2. 2 The Outlandish Knight 03:48
    Track
    2
    Title
    The Outlandish Knight
    Duration
    03:48
    Composer
    Traditional
    Ensemble
    Ménestrel
  3. 3 Si dolce è'l tormento, SV 332 02:49
    Track
    3
    Title
    Si dolce è'l tormento, SV 332
    Duration
    02:49
    Composer
    Claudio Monteverdi
    Ensemble
    Ménestrel
  4. 4 Si jamais mon ame blessee (If ever my wounded soul) 02:13
    Track
    4
    Title
    Si jamais mon ame blessee (If ever my wounded soul)
    Duration
    02:13
    Composer
    Pierre Guédron
    Ensemble
    Ménestrel
  5. 5 Book of Songs, Book 1: Come again, sweet love doth now invite 02:41
    Track
    5
    Title
    Book of Songs, Book 1: Come again, sweet love doth now invite
    Duration
    02:41
    Composer
    John Dowland
    Ensemble
    Ménestrel
  6. 6 À la claire fontaine 02:51
    Track
    6
    Title
    À la claire fontaine
    Duration
    02:51
    Composer
    Traditional
    Ensemble
    Ménestrel
  7. 7 Fear a' bhàta 04:12
    Track
    7
    Title
    Fear a' bhàta
    Duration
    04:12
    Composer
    Traditional
    Ensemble
    Ménestrel
  8. 8 Nancy's Courtship 03:47
    Track
    8
    Title
    Nancy's Courtship
    Duration
    03:47
    Composer
    Traditional
    Performer
    Janelle Lucyk
  9. 9 Mille regretz 03:21
    Track
    9
    Title
    Mille regretz
    Duration
    03:21
    Composer
    Josquin des Prez
    Ensemble
    Ménestrel
  10. 10 Mille regretz (arr. P. Phalèse for lute) 01:42
    Track
    10
    Title
    Mille regretz (arr. P. Phalèse for lute)
    Duration
    01:42
    Composer
    Josquin des Prez
    Performer
    Kerry Bursey
  11. 11 Book of Songs, Book 1: Now, O now I needs must part 04:03
    Track
    11
    Title
    Book of Songs, Book 1: Now, O now I needs must part
    Duration
    04:03
    Composer
    John Dowland
    Ensemble
    Ménestrel
  12. 12 Fiddle Tune from Cape Breton (Welcome to the Shetland Islands) 01:01
    Track
    12
    Title
    Fiddle Tune from Cape Breton (Welcome to the Shetland Islands)
    Duration
    01:01
    Composer
    Traditional
    Ensemble
    Ménestrel
  13. 13 Book of Songs, Book 1: Can she excuse my wrongs 02:14
    Track
    13
    Title
    Book of Songs, Book 1: Can she excuse my wrongs
    Duration
    02:14
    Composer
    John Dowland
    Ensemble
    Ménestrel
  14. 14 Adieu ma tresbelle maistresse 02:42
    Track
    14
    Title
    Adieu ma tresbelle maistresse
    Duration
    02:42
    Composer
    Gilles de Bins dit Binchois
    Ensemble
    Ménestrel
  15. 15 Pausanius, the Betrayer of his Country, Z. 585: No. 1. Sweeter than Roses 02:59
    Track
    15
    Title
    Pausanius, the Betrayer of his Country, Z. 585: No. 1. Sweeter than Roses
    Duration
    02:59
    Composer
    Henry Purcell
    Ensemble
    Ménestrel
  16. 16 She's Like the Swallow 04:07
    Track
    16
    Title
    She's Like the Swallow
    Duration
    04:07
    Composer
    Traditional
    Performer
    Janelle Lucyk
  17. 17 Lass of London City (White Copper Alley) 02:31
    Track
    17
    Title
    Lass of London City (White Copper Alley)
    Duration
    02:31
    Composer
    Traditional
    Ensemble
    Ménestrel
  18. 18 Blackbird 02:49
    Track
    18
    Title
    Blackbird
    Duration
    02:49
    Composer
    Traditional
    Ensemble
    Ménestrel
  19. 19 Yo soy la locura (I am madness) 02:52
    Track
    19
    Title
    Yo soy la locura (I am madness)
    Duration
    02:52
    Composer
    Henri Le Bailly
    Ensemble
    Ménestrel
  20. 20 Arie a voce sola, Op. 8: Che si può fare 02:45
    Track
    20
    Title
    Arie a voce sola, Op. 8: Che si può fare
    Duration
    02:45
    Composer
    Barbara Strozzi
    Ensemble
    Ménestrel