LLIBRE VERMELL:
Various songs and music from Monserrat.
Sarband
Dorian DOR93202 63m
DDD.
Crotchet
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This is a highly interesting album featuring various excerpts from the extant
surviving music hailing from the famous pilgrim shrines of Santiago de Compostela
with a direct leaf out of the famous 'Libre Vermell' which is the legendary
'Red Book' now stored in the museum's monastery. The album contains various
songs from this book with chants, instrumental music and other pieces showing
the rich diversity of styles extant in the 14th century.
Sarband are a wonderfully versatile ensemble with a varied palette of choral
and instrumental forces that really do justice to this wonderful music. 'O
virgo splendens is the opening track and this is sung with vigour and aplomb
as are the rowdy instrumental excursions that permeate the intriguing Laudemus
virgenem. The variety continues with settings of 'Mariam matrem', 'Cedit
frigus' and a beautiful interpretation of Polarum regina that is truly
treasurable. The vocal ensemble are a quartet whilst the various instruments
being used include hurdy gurdy, lutes, portable organs and a vast array of
medieval and arab percussions. It is certainly splendid enjoyment and will
help no end to rediscover the beauty of this music as a potent force of
reappreciation in today's materially conscious world. The far off sounds
of medieval pilgrims are indeed a haunting and highly moving experience.
Sarband's recreation of the Red Book does just that!
Gerald Fenech
Performance:
Sound:
