Customer Reviews

Alfonso X "El Sabio": Cantigas de Santa Maria

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

A friend of mine commented that a male soprano is an acquired taste. The countertenor on this disc sings with a lot of conviction, and the alternation with the rich baritone make it very listenable. The instrumental improvisations get a little wild -- typical for this ensemble -- but they never sound completely improbable. These versions of Cantigas 18 and 295 in particular are possibly the best out there, and definitely the most fun.

I remeber the first time I played this CD it captivated me from the very first note and gripped my attention all the way to the very end. The wildness of the Spanish mysticism expressed in this Marian music from 13th century Iberian peninsula recorded here exerts a hypnotic magnetism that is thoroughly engrossing.The music reflects the influence of troubadours but given the Eastern Orthodox origins of the cult of the Virgin Mary, Orthodox chant influences likely exists as perhaps do Sephardic and Muslim influences given that this region was a great cultural melting pot in its day. As usual, Ensemble Unicorn brings tremendous performing energy into the musical 're-enactment' so to speak, with an approach as far removed from the staid and academic you could possibly ask for.

As usual with Ensemble Unicorn recordings the sound quality puts that of many a major recording to utter shame. To be able to buy an audiophile grade recording at this represents a rediculous bargain indeed. That said, it is for the music you should buy this highly recommendable CD and one of the gems of the Naxos catalogue.

The Spanish King, Alfonso X, compiled the Cantigas of Santa Maria which were published into exquisitely decorated manuscripts. The songs celebrate different aspects of the virgin Mary's life and are meant as prayers and meditations.
This CD contains only a few of the over 300 songs that were complied and offers a wide variety of musical styles which are exuberantly played by the Ensemble Unicorn---which has recorded many Early Music CDs for Naxos.
As usual the Naxos program notes are excellent and offer a novice listener a better understanding of the music and the time it was composed.
In the CDs which were compiled earlier in their history, Naxos does not include the words to vocal pieces. It would be better if the words were included, but I think the performance itself deserves a top rating,

This recording is a great sampler of the works of Alfonso the Wise. A very pleasant mix of sacred hyms and instrumental music. There are many labels which carry the cantigas....but they are expensive. I think this will satisfy both the beginner as well as the most seasoned fan of early music!It transports you back to medieval Spain!
For those who do not know what the Cantigas are, its a collection of religious compositions sung in Gallician-Portuguese from the Spanish court of Alfonso X in the 13th century.They give praise to the Virgin Mary and sing of the miracles she performed.

This music evokes wonder and mystery. You can imagine this music being played outdoors or in a castle courtyard, it's medieval in every sense of the word. They use some instruments that I can't identify, but they sound wonderfully.

It's chanted, yet melodious kind of music. Whether you like it or not, you'll have to admit that you don't hear this kind of music often, if at all. It is distinctive if nothing else.

Alfonso X "El Sabio": Cantigas de Santa Maria was a recording that captured my attention from the first tone that I heard. There has long been a misconception that the medieval era was the dark era for arts and music. This recording proves that this was certainly not the case. I am a very devout Christian and his music speaks both to the heart and the soul. The book-let is quite sparse but it contains a very well-written essay on the work written by Catherine du Bouleau and translated into English by Uta Henning. The painting on the cover is very beautiful and sets the mood for this amazing recording.