Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. Niña y viña
2. Propinan de Melyor, for ensemble (Colombina Songbook)
3. Como No le Andare Yo (Colombina Songbook)
4. Recercada
5. Fantasia
6. Pavana and Gallarda
7. Al alva venid (El Cancionero de Palacio)
8. Perdi la mi rrueca
9. A los baños del amor
10. Fantasia
11. Romanesca
12. Pues bien para ésta
13. Si AvTis Dicho, Marido
14. Si D'amor Pena Sentfs
15. O Voy
16. ¿Qu'es de ti, desconsolado?, cancionero (from Cancionero de Palacio)
17. Recercada No 4
18. Recercada No 5
19. Recercada No 6
20. Yo me soy la morenica (I am the little dark girl), villancico
21. Si la noche haze escura
22. Soleta so jo aci
23. Con que la lavare, villancico for 4 voices
24. Soy serranica

Disc 2:

1. Pregoneros van y vienen
2. Rey de Francia tres hijas tenía
3. Una matica de ruda
4. Palestina hermoza
5. Nani, nani
6. Rey que tanto madruga
7. Por qué llorax blanca niña
8. Moricos los mis moricos
9. Lavava y suspirava
10. Paxarico tu te llamas
11. Reina Xerifa mora
12. Por allí pasó un cavallero

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #141272 in Music
• Released on: 1999-06-08
• Number of discs: 2
• Dimensions: .24 pounds

Amazon.com
Before their expulsion in 1492, the Jews of medieval Spain developed a rich and lively culture, including an exquisite repertory of songs called romanceros--and they kept that repertory alive as they settled in places as diverse as Morocco, Bosnia, Turkey, and Bulgaria. Lovely as the romanceros are, they would have languished as the objects of ethnomusicological studies and might have disappeared altogether, were it not for the efforts of gifted musicians like Hespèrion XX. Jordi Savall and his ensemble, fronted by the unique soprano Montserrat Figueras, just about single-handedly brought those songs to the attention of the modern public with this 1976 recording (now reissued at a bargain price). Disc 1 features a selection of secular music from "Christian" Spain--that is, the courts of Ferdinand and Isabella and the Catholic nobility. The music is elegant and occasionally austere, but Figueras, Savall, and colleagues give the livelier pieces a flavorful swing. Yet disc 2, which features the Sephardic songs, is the real drawing card here. It was in Moorish Spain that Jewish culture flourished, so Hespèrion XX performs the romanceros with Arabic instruments, such as the 'ud (the ancestor of the European lute) and hand drums. These musicians, rechristened Hespèrion XXI in honor of the new century, perform this repertory with more polish now than they did in 1976, but--just as A Feather on the Breath of God did for Hildegard von Bingen--this recording made its own little bit of musical history. --Matthew Westphal

Customer Reviews

Historical re-release
Hesperion XX were pioneers in reviving this music, and collectors will value these recordings which first came out in 1976. However most listeners may prefer more recent recordings by Wimmer on Naxos, and Alia Musica on Harmonia Mundi which have digital sound and include Spanish, and occasionally Hebrew, texts and translations.

A balm for any soul
Attempting to review a Savall/Figueras CD is a frustrating task. The arsenal of superlatives is so quickly depleted. Terms like 'matchless' and 'unique' might be used, but lack strict definition. After all, a 'matchless' voice needn't be a good one. Terms like 'divine' or 'angelic' tend to remove Montserrat's singing from the real and human. She's nothing if not human. Having been blessed with watching as well as hearing her perform, vouching for her vitality on a stage is easy. But the superior quality of her voice and presentation is so far above the mundane or common as to become nearly indescribable. Anything less than adulation for her seems to indicate shortcomings in the disk or performer. Neither performance nor disk quality falls short here. That she performs religious songs here simply adds to the power of her impact on the listener. You necessarily hesitate, cease other activity, and, if moved enough, drop to your knees in respect and admiration. Tough to do in a crowded concert hall, but the motivation is there. And this from someone who shunned listening to vocal performances for many years. Dame Kiri was one exception and Argenta another, but the discovery of Figueras was the discovery of a voice without flaw.

Anyone visiting this page must certainly know of Jordi Savall and Hesperion XX. You may, however, have missed the glory of Montserrat Figueras' voice. Make up for that lack right away. The selections available here are pitifully limited, but this CD is as good an introduction as any. Don't hesitate to sit and enjoy this music. The sounds received will be a reward to whatever spiritual sense you possess.

Beautiful, mysterious ancient music
This is an album of mysterious, beautiful music that transports you to the late 15th Spain. The music is rich, sensual, and relaxing. The music is sung in medieval Spanish ( which sounds quite a bit like Portugese crossed with Italian), and has an exotic, very middle eastern quality to it. Other songs exhibit the beginnings of Spanish folk music. I am a writer currently writing a book set in the time period and find this music a great, relaxing companion while I write my novel. Four stars!