a r t i s t : Ensemble Belladonna
t i t l e : Melodious Melancholye
d a t e : 2005
l a b e l : Raumklang
g e n r e : Classical
r l s. d a t e : Mar/2006
t r a c k s : 16
b i t r a t e : VBRkbps
s i z e : 74,6 MB
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What is it about this unusual repertoire, European medieval
music, that brings people together to perform it? The
so-called Middle Ages were "rediscovered" in the 19th century,
during which time the romantic view of this period, with its
castles and knights and religious fervour, was born. Thanks to
the work of musicologists throughout the 20th cenutry (and
particularly in the last several decades), and so generations
of intrepid performers starting in the 1970's, the practice of
medieval music, a discipline which sought increasingly to set
itself apart from popular notions about the middle ages, came
into its own. As time goes on, our understanding of this vast
and diverse period of time and music deepens.
The practice of medieval music is an endless journey of
discovery, a reconnection to parts of our past that we can
never fully understand. It is a journey of utmost importance:
these are the roots of Western music, the earlierst musical
compositions of which we have written proof. the interventions
and permutations of musical notation from the 9th to the 15th
centuries trace a line that is fascinating and exciting. The
music this represents is sometimes thought to be simple or
primitive, but we prefer to think of it as a stark, intimate,
at times unintelligibly esoteric and strange, but always
fascinating, beautiful and even yes occasionally familiar.
Belladonna specializes in the music of the 12th to the 15th
centuries: from monophonic troubadour chansons to the
elaborate ballata of Francesco landini from meditative
cloister songs to spirited instrumental music and beyond. The
three musicians met in asel (Switzerland) during their studies
at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis. There they laid the
foundaitions for their work: intensive study of the
manuscripts, thorough examination of the theoretical
treatises, and analysis of both medieval and contemporary
performance practices. Belladonna was officially formed in
1997, though before this date the three gave many concert
together and with other musicians during their time in Basel.
the ensemble has toured throughout Germany where it is based,
and also given concerts in Scandinavia, Switzerland, italy and
France.
As specialists who have dedicated their musical lives to
understading the medieval world and its culture, Belladonna
wishes not simply to perform the music of this time but to
give its audience a perhaps less romantic but more interesting
look at the complex ethos of the middle ages.
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01-worldes blis ne last no throwe [05:26]
02-hevene quene [02:41]
03-miri it is while sumer ilast [03:04]
04-r ne kuth ich sorghe non [05:05]
05-bryd one breere [03:08]
06-dou way robin , sancta mater gracie [03:53]
07-wel wer hym that wyst [01:27]
08-abide, i hope it be the best [02:24]
09-plus penser que dire [04:14]
10-alas, departnge is ground of woo [01:56]
11-alas, alas is my chief song [03:38]
12-so ys emprentid [03:17]
13-o fallaze e ria fortuna [02:19]
14-agwillare [02:30]
15-my woeful heart [06:33]
16-lullay lullow [02:59]
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54:34 min