La Polyphonie Flamande - The Flemish Polyphony
Contents list at end of review
rec. various dates and locations
Colour book of 200 pages
RICERCAR RIC 102 [8 CDs: 624:16]
The composers known collectively as the Fiamminghi made their mark in Europe
in general and in Italy and in France in particular during the 15th century.
Their talent and skill gained them the most important positions in the great
musical establishments of the time. This collection is devoted to the leading
composers of the 15th century, from those of the first generation (Guillaume
Dufay, Gilles Binchois, Arnold de Lantins and Johannes Brassart) through Johannes
Ockeghem, the great master of polyphonic technique, to Josquin Desprez and
Pierre de La Rue, two musicians taught by Ockeghem who laid the foundations
of the Ars Perfecta during the Renaissance. Also included is Jacob Obrecht,
the only composer of this school whose career was based essentially in his
native Flanders. Every genre of both sacred as well as secular music of the
time is represented here.
The labels grouped under the umbrella outhere (www.outhere-music.com) have
been issuing compilations of music in attractive boxes with extensive notes.
After a Bach set on the Alpha label (see
review), Ricercar has released a set in the same format covering Flemish
Polyphony. It gives a lavish overview of the music and accomplishments of
the Fiamminghi.
With the exception of two discs of music by Dufay and Ockeghem, each contains
works by a variety of composers. The richly-illustrated book sets out notes
about the major works, the composers and the history of this movement, though
these do not follow the CDs. The book is in English, Dutch, French and German,
with the text of each chapter in all four languages.
The recordings and performances, from a variety of ensembles and locations,
are all very good, and each disc achieves an attractive program of Renaissance
vocal music in its own right. It is best to see this set as an introduction
to the style, rather than a coherent, didactic overview. Since it features
only performers from Ricercar and its sister labels, there are certainly some
gaps. Still it’s a useful and pleasing approach to this music.
Another way to discover Renaissance vocal music would be through the three
4-disc sets of Sacred Music in the Renaissance, by the Tallis Scholars. These
are available from Gimell. Across their 12 discs Gimell covers many of the
same composers and works. They also encompass music by composers from other
countries including England and Italy. Gimell offer a coherence of performance
and style, as the same ensemble sings all the works.
If you already know and appreciate this genre then you may have many of the
works offered by Ricercar. The interest here lies more in having the attractive
box and book. If you don’t know this type of polyphonic vocal music, this
sumptuous volume is an excellent introduction to the style, focusing, as it
does, on the area in Europe where the most important composers of the time
developed their work.
Kirk McElhearn
Kirk McElhearn writes about more than just music on his blog Kirkville
(http://www.mcelhearn.com).
An attractive set with a fine selection of Flemish polyphonic music from the
Renaissance.
Contents list
CD 1: Traces d'archaismes dans les Flandres au XVe siècle - Arnold
de Lantins (Missa Verbum Incarnatum) - Dufay
(on y trouve Ciconia par Diabolus et La Morra, Arnold de Lantins, Grenon et
Franchois par Capilla Flamenca et 2 motets de Dufay par Musica Nova)
CD 2: Dufay (Messe St Jacob par Capella Pratensis et 5 chansons par
Continens Paradisi)
CD 3: Dufay - Fête-Dieu à Tongres 1444 (Messe Se la Face de Dufay,
messe de Brassart par Capilla Flamenca et grégorien par Psallentes)
CD 4: Binchois - Ockeghem (4 motets de Binchois par Discantus, 5 chansons
de Binchois par Continens Paradisi, Mort tu as navré par Vox Luminis, 5 chansons
d'Ockeghem par Romanesque)
CD 5: Ockeghem (5 chansons par Romanesque, Missa Mi-mi par Capella
Pratensis, Kyrie du Requiem par Organum)
CD 6: Nymphe des Bois - Alleluia (5 chansons de Josquin par Capilla
FLamenca, 1 par vOx Luminis, 1 par Syntagma Amici, 3 chansons de Compere et
Missa Alleluia de P. de la Rue par Capilla Flamenca)
CD 7: Alleluia - Obrecht - Prioris (17 pièces séculaires de Obrecht
par Capilla FLamenca et Piffaro, 5 motets de Prioris par Capilla Flamenca)
CD 8: Bellum & Pax - Requiem de Prioris (L'homme Armé par
De Cat, Werrecore, Obrecht, de la Rue, Josquin, Da Pacem par Brumel, Prioris
et de la Rue par Capilla Flamenca, Psallentes et Oltremontano, Requiem de
Prioris par Capilla Flamenca)