From: carl@silver.lcs.mit.edu (Carl J.M. Alexander)
Subject: 11th - 13th century music on CD - SUMMARY
Organization: Organization???
Date: Tue, 15 Sep 1992 06:43:32 GMT

A week or so back I posted to rec.music.early asking for 
recommendations on, roughly, 11th - 13th Century music on CD.  
Here are the answers I received, plus a couple of other 
posts that seemed relevant. Remarks in square brackets [] 
are my comments.  Also, please note that I have separetely 
posted this summary (*not* crossposted it) to rec.org.sca.
 
--Carl Alexander
carl@silver.lcs.mit.edu
 
 
 
From: bolsen@mcs213k.cs.umr.edu (Brian):
 
... I've been trying to slowly build my collection of CD's also.
The one I have from that specific time period .... is entitled 
"Music of the Crusades" and was recorded in 1971, rereleased on CD 
in 1991.  It consists mostly of vocal secular music having something 
to do with the crusades from the mid 12th to the mid 13th centuries.  
Of note, Nigel Rogers (tenor) and Christopher Hogwood (harp, 
organ and percussion) are both part of the recording group (The 
Early Music Consort of London, directed by David Munrow).
 
 
 
From: jrussell@unlinfo.unl.edu (john russell)
 
This is not a top ten, but I really enjoyed the Hilliard
Ensemble's recording of Perotin's music I recently heard,
including his Viderunt Omnes and Sederunt. Unfortunately,
I can't recall the recording label off the top of my head.
 
 
 
From: Stephen Bloch <sbloch@silver.cs.UManitoba.CA>
[Actually, from Stephen and his girlfriend, Rufina, to whom he 
passed along my inquiry.]
 
....  The groups that best combine a feeling for the music
with respectable scholarship (into performance practice and the
like), in no particular order, are
 
Ensemble Alcatraz
Sequentia
Gothic Voices
Sinfonia
Studio der Fruehenmusik
Project Ars Nova
and Anonymous IV.
 
Ensemble Alcatraz did an excellent disk of Cantigas de Santa Maria,
and one of trouvere song as well.
 
Sequentia has recorded trouvere song, a good bit of Abbess Hildegard
(including, I think, her "Ordo Virtutum"), and an album of music from
the Codex Calextinus (sp?), which I believe is Iberian.
 
Gothic Voices has a recording of Abbess Hildegard's music entitled
"Feather on the Breath of God", as well as an album of trouvere song (?)
entitled "Music for the Lion-Hearted King".
 
Sinfonia has an album of Cantigas (I think it's a different source
than Alfonso el Sabio's Cantigas de Santa Maria) and an album of
trouvere song entitled "Courts of Love" or something like that.
 
Studio der Fruehenmusik has an album of trouvere/troubadour song, an
album of Minnesaenger, the Roman de Fauvel, and a two-disk set of
Carmina Burana.  The Studio der Fruehenmusik stuff is getting a little
dated, but as Rufina puts it "their purely vocal stuff has aged
remarkably well," as opposed to instrumental and mixed work where new
research has made their performance practice a bit obsolete.
 
Rufina recommends avoiding David Munrow ... his performance practices 
are hopelessly out of date with current research ... the New York Pro
Musica, Rene Clemencic, and the Boston Camerata (on these last three
her most flattering characterization is "mediocre").
 
If you happen to run into a group named Alfonso X, give them a 
listen....  I'm not sure whether they have any recordings out on CD.
 
 
From: gonter@wu-wien.ac.at (Gerhard Gonter)
Reply-To: <Gerhard.Gonter@wu-wien.ac.at>
 
13th century is a limit, anyway, here are my top favorites that fit:
 
Kalenda Maja:           Norske Midelalder Ballader
Hilliard Ensemble:      Perotin         (EMI)
Paul Hillier:           La Proensa      (EMI)
Gothic Voices:          A Feather on the Breath of God, H.v.Bingen
                          (Hyperion)
New London Consort:     Carmina Burana, Vols. 1-4
Clemencic Consort:      Carmina Burana, Vols. 1-3; there's also a
                          sampler
 
 
 
From: tmcfarla@sfu.ca
 
three of my faves that fit into that period (i believe) are 
'lo gai saber' by camerata mediterranea (sp?), 'a feather on 
the breath of god: sequences and hymns by hildegard of bingen' 
by the gothic voices and 'music of the gothic era' by the early 
music consort of london. i look forward to reading your list.
 
 
 
From: allyn@milton.u.washington.edu (Allyn Weaks)
[This wasn't actually posted in response to my inquiry, but I 
found it relevant.]
 
Look for anything by Ensemble PAN and Ensemble Alcatraz.  For that 
matter, look for anything that has Shira Kammen playing on it (she 
plays vielle for both groups.)  Also look for Sequentia and Medieval 
Strings (though I don't think they have a recording yet, blast it.)  
David Munrow has two CDs with medieval music.  The Folger Consort 
does medieval occaisionally.  Also look for the Hilliard Ensemble 
for vocal music. Their Perotin and Machaut are outstanding.
 
A sampling of possibly still available CDs:
 
Ensmble PAN:  The Island of Hylaryon, Music of Cyprus.  
          New Albion NA 038 CD
 
Ensemble Alcatraz: Danse Royale.  Elektra Nonesuch 79240-2
 
Hilliard Ensemble: Perotin.  ECM 837 751-2
                   Machaut.  Messe de Notre Dame.  Hyperion CDA66358
 
David Munrow: Music of the Gothic Era.  Archiv 415 292-2
              Pleasures of the Royal Courts.  Elektra Nonesuch 9 71326-2

Folger Consort: Carmina Burana and other songs from the German 
          Middle Ages.  Bard BDCD 1-8901

Elena Polanska: Medieval and Renaissance Harp.  Vox PVT 7146
          (plus many instruments other than harps)
 
The current medieval groups such as PAN and Alcatraz sound quite
different from Binkley and Munrow, who recorded in the early days 
of early music revival. Partly because they go for a somewhat 
different repertoire, mostly because performance practice has 
evolved a lot.  I like them both.
 
 
 
From: dp@world.std.com (Jeff DelPapa)
[This also wasn't actually posted in response to my inquiry.]
 
Two more to look for:
Martin Best Medieval Ensemble - on Nimbus
The York Waits - A Shawm and Brass "town band" on Saydisc (a few
          re-released on Musical Heritage)
No recording numbers available, as my copies are not to hand.
 
Oh Yea, there were a number of recordings of chant on Nonesuch years
ago, perhaps some have made it to CD - and phillips (with Musical
Heritage re-issue) also had some recordings of chant...)
 
 
 
From: David A. Liscomb <wonky!ornoth@transfer.stratus.com>
 
The following is the summary of my query in early May. Since then 
I've only managed to buy a handful of Joculatores Upsalienses, but 
found them all to be excellent.
 
-david a. liscomb         ornoth@wonky.uucp
 mediqual systems inc     liscomb@maine.maine.edu
 
[Note:  The entire remainder of this message is my edited version of 
David's summary of answers to his similar question, posted in May.]
======================================================================
From: jjmhome!transfer!lectroid.sw.stratus.com!uunet!ilog.ilog.fr!canton (Eric Canton)
 
        That's the list of what I own. I am interested in a 
summary of the answers you'll get.
 
 * Nova Cantica, Latin songs of the high middle ages
        Dominique VELLARD and Emmanuel BONNARDOT
        Deutsche Harmonia Mundi, RD77196
 
        A capella religious songs from the XI and XII centuries. 
        Two male singers. Both south and north of France represented.
 
 * Cantiguas de Santa Maria, Alfonso X el Sabio
        Esther LAMANDIER
        Astre'e Auvidis, E7707
 
        Religious songs in old spanish written by or under the 
        patronage of Alfonso X el Sabio, second part of XIII century. 
        One female singer (beautiful voice) and period instruments.
 
 * La cour du Roi Rene', Chansons et danses
        ENSEMBLE PERCEVAL, dir. Guy ROBERT
        Arion, ARN68104
 
        Songs and dances of the time of Rene' d'Anjou (XV century). 
        Binchois, Dufay, Josquin and others.
 
 * Chansons des Rois et des Princes du Moyen Age
        ENSEMBLE PERCEVAL, dir. Guy ROBERT
        Arion, ARN68031
 
        Songs written by kings and princes :
        Thibaul IV comte de Champagne et Roi de Navarre
        Alfonso X el Sabio roi de Castille et du Leon
        Charles D'Anjou, roi de Naples
        Guillaume VII de Poitiers, duc d'Aquitaine
        Conon de Be'thune, re'gent de l'Empire de Constantinople
        Richard-Coeur-de-Lion, roi d'angleterre
        (impressing, isn't it?)
 
 * Domna
        Esther LAMANDIER
        Alienor, AL1019
 
        Guillaume de Machault, Minnesanger, Troubadours and Ballate.
        Voice, harp and portable organ.
 
 * Merry it is While Summer Lasts
        ST. GEORGE'S CANZONA, dir. John SCOT
        CRD 3412
 
        A collection of medieval and traditional music from the 
        spring and summer festivals. XII to XIV plus traditional.
 
 * Medieval Songs and Dances
        ST. GEORGE'S CANZONA, dir. John SCOT
        CRD 3421
 
        Mostly France and Spain, a little of England and Italy. 
        XII to XIV centuries.
 
 * Guillaume de Machaut, Ballades Rondeaux Virelais et Motets
        ENSEMBLE GILLES BINCHOIS, dir. Dominique VELLARD
        Harmonic Records, CD8825
 
        Title says it all. Some poems are said rather than sung.
 
 * Musique des Trouveres et Troubadours
        LES MUSICIENS DE PROVENCE
        Arion, ARN68064
 
 
        Music mainly from the south of France, XII and XIII centuries. 
        A little of XIV and XV centuries
 
 * Le Jeu de Marion et Robin, Adam de la Halle
        ENSEMBLE PERCEVAL
        Arion ? (I don't have the CD here)
 
        A play with part sung and other said. The performers actually 
        acted the play; this is the soundtrack of the film that was 
        made of it (alas, I never had the oportunity to watch it). The 
        result is not always easy to listen to, but is interesting.
 
Those I prefer :
        La cour du Roi Rene', Chansons et danses
        Chansons des Rois et des Princes du Moyen Age
        Domna
        Merry it is While Summer Lasts
        Medieval Songs and Dances
 
Those I like :
        Nova Cantica, Latin songs of the high middle ages
        Cantiguas de Santa Maria, Alfonso X el Sabio
        Le Jeu de Marion et Robin, Adam de la Halle
 
Those I like less :
        Guillaume de Machaut, Ballades Rondeaux Virelais et Motets
        Musique des Trouveres et Troubadours
 
It is, of course, a purely subjective appreciation.
 
 
 
From: szh@ccrma.Stanford.EDU (Suzanne Hirschman)
 
You should definitely look into recordings by Ensemble Alcatraz.  
They have two - Visions and Miracles and Danse Royale.  The former, 
my all time favorite, is primarily a collection of Cantigas and 
other early Spanish music.  Danse Royale is French and Norman, and 
has a number of the French (bl 844) Estampies.  The second recording 
is a bit more sedate than the first but has more actual dance pieces.  
These guys are great!  The musical quality is much higher than at 
least two of the groups you mentioned.
 
Two other very high caliber groups are Sequentia (Try Trouveres) and
Ensemble Pan (Getting into Ars Nova polyphony.  I like their Cyprus
recording, although their Ars Magis Subtilitor is better known.  Unless
you're into that stuff, it will probably not be too accessible)
 
Hope you like these!
 
 
 
From: MAINT2@ERS.BITNET (Ken Koester)
 
I will be parochial & recommend the Folger Consort from here in 
DC.  They range from about 1200 - 1750.  Memory dredges up =Wild 
Thyme=, =A Medieval Tapestry=, one which is a medieval Christmas, 
and another which is half 14th century and half Shakespearean 
songs-- 3.5 CDs in all.  Umm--also, a tape of Burgundian music 
which isn't strictly medieval any more but which is very, very 
good.  (Well, it isn't really Renaissance, either, so. . . . ) 
 
 
 
From: emery@Dr_No.mitre.org (David Emery)
 
Some of my favorites:
        anything by David Munrow (everyone likes to pick a winner!)
        "Perotan", performed by the Hilliard Ensemble
        "Llibre Vermiell de Montserrat" (spelling?), Hesperion XX
        (If you like the Ensemble Alcatraz stuff, you'll love this.
         One of my all-time favorite recordings)
 
I also "second" the recommendation for the Ensemble Alcatraz disks.
 
 
 
From: mjc+@cs.cmu.edu (Monica Cellio)
 
Look into a group called Calliope.  I have two recordings (not to 
hand), called, I think, "Festival" and "Dances".  They are primarily 
14th century dances.  (There are no vocal pieces.)  I have heard 
that they have a third recording, but I don't know anything about it. 
 
 
 
From: mlove@UX1.CSO.UIUC.EDU (Sharon D. Michalove)
 
 
You might be interested in the Sequentia recordings of Hildegard of 
Bingen and Cypriot Advent Antiphons by the Huelgas Ensemble on 
German Harmonia Mundi.
 
 
 
From: jfl@panix.com (Jeff Lipton)
 
        For lively recordings of secular & sacred medieval dance 
music, look for anything with Rene Clemencic (?sp). My favorite 
recordings of medieval music are, however, those with the "Gothic 
Voices", in particular "The Mirror of Narcissus", featuring music 
of Guilliame de Machaut, and "The Garden of Zephirus".
 
 
 
From: kludge@grissom.larc.nasa.gov ( Scott Dorsey)
 
Well, I am going to throw in a minor recommendation for the Elena 
Polanska "Medieval and Renaissance Harp" recording which was on 
the Vox Prima label, and not just because I was the engineer on the recording.  It was very well produced and had a lot of common 
favorites on it.
 
I also recommend Savalli's Musicien d'Europe (which spelling I have
probably mangled), which is one of my standard reference CDs these 
days.  Somewhat later music, mostly, but still enjoyable.
 
There was also an album produced by Radio France a few years back, which
was a compilation of many groups.  Can someone else help me out with the
name on this one?