Track Listing

1. Tant m'abelis
2. Domna, pos vos ay chausida
3. Non posc sofrir c'a la dolor (Non puese sofrir)
4. Ar me puese
5. Bujo (instrumental)
6. Bel m'es qu'ieu chant
7. Cantaben els osells
8. Ai tal domna
9. Reis glorios, monphonic alba
10. Ara Lauzatz
11. Humils, forfaitz, repres e penedens
12. Quan (Can) vei la lauzeta mover, motet

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #31540 in Music
• Released on: 1999-06-01
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .23 pounds

Customer Reviews

pseudo-"medieval" jollity and little else
I'd be the first to admit that this recording of 12th and 13th century troubadour and trouvere songs is probably not aimed at listeners like myself. Yet whilst it would be difficult to deny the enthusiasm and aplomb with which these kitschy and Clemencic-inspired interpretations are delivered - with a kaleidoscopic array of instruments, including some [apparently indispensable] arabic ones - let's not overlook one VERY crucial point here: this recording does NOT EVEN ATTEMPT to present a faithful portrayal of this repertoire. In fact, it flies in the face of ALL recent musicology (see literature by Christopher Page, Elizabeth Aubrey etc...) which leaves little doubt that these songs were performed in one of only two ways: either one unaccompanied singer, or one singer accompanied by one (or two) instrument(s) - principally harp or vielle (although one wind instrument was sometimes used in lower style genres, like the dansa or pastourelle/pastorela). Additionally (!), only certain songs [Low Style - like track 2] were probably sung in a metric fashion, whereas High Style Chansons seem to have been rather more rhapsodic in delivery from start to finish, in complete contrast to how they are presented here [tracks 1, 3, 5, 7, 11, 12]...

But perhaps the performers (and listeners) don't believe this is relevant, or don't even care - after all, it's certainly rather "merrie". Just make sure you realise it's about as "medieval" as Terry Gilliam & Terry Jones's 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail', or John Milius's 1981 film 'Conan the Barbarian' [starring Arnold Schwarzennegger].

Incidentally, if you're interested in hearing some academically and aesthetically more convincing recordings of this repertory, then the following are recommended:

1. 'Dante and the Troubadours', Sequentia/Bagby [DHM 05472 77 227 2]
2. 'Le fou sur le pont' - Bernatz de Vendadorn, Camerata Mediterranea/Cohen [Erato 4509-94B25-2]
3. 'The Spirits of England and France 2 - Songs of the Trouveres', Gothic Voices/Page [Hyperion CDA66773]

more great early music from naxos
having been impressed by other early music offerings by naxos (von bingen, lassus) this purchase was an easy decision.

if you've never heard this kind of music before it's a beautiful surprise- lots of eastern and islamic influences. naxos has included translated lyrics in the liner notes- ms. lafitte's voice is lovely.

this is an excellent selection of material- from screechingly exuberant bagpipes (try playing them at full volume on a good stereo system) and jaunty dance tunes to hauntingly beautiful poetic laments, and on track 9 a lusty little anonymous piece.

the engineering on this CD seems a little different- naxos CD's are always a little on the quiet side, but this one was done with the gain a little higher up; i can almost make my system distort with the volume at full.

a great value. if you have even a passing interest in early music naxos gives a painless path of exploration.

Fun, folksy, wonderfully arranged music!
Ensemble Unicorn and Ensemble Oni Wytars join forces to bring the music of medieval French troubadours to life. The spirited vocals of singer Marie LaFitte are accompanied by equally enthusiastic instrumentations, featuring all the early music standbys, as well as such exotic additions as laud, gaita, bujo, nay, saz, davul, zarb, bendir, deff, bowl drum and reed-flute (!). The result is a true celebration of French troubadour music, made as intriguingly varied and accessible to modern listeners as it must have been to contemporary audiences. If you like this recording, you'll also like the other joint release by Ensemble Unicorn and Oni Wytars, "On the Way to Bethlehem: Music of the Medieval Pilgrim". In addition, selections from other recordings featuring these musicians may be sampled on the following Naxos compilation albums: "An Introduction to Early Music", "The Glory of Early Music", and also "The World of Early Music", a 2 CD set taking the listener through time via various Naxos releases, and featuring a helpful catalog of Naxos recordings at the end of the insert. Check them out--the other artists featured thereon are excellent too!