Le Cant Basque

Oldarra | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 17, 1998)
• Original Release Date: February 17, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Elektra / Wea
• ASIN: B000006CS0
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #262,984 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Maitia Nun Zira?

2. Agur Jaunak

3. Aurtxo Txikia

4. Iru Errege

5. Boga, Boga

6. Elarren Ogi Hilen Artetik

7. Agur Maria

8. Egon Atzarririk

9. Beti Maite

10. Lau Lagun

11. Illunabarra

12. Ara Nun Diran

13. Aita Gurea

14. Adios, Ene Maitia

15. Urzo Luma

16. Jeiki, Jeiki

17. Txalaparta

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great disc, October 4, 2001

By 

Stephen Taylor (Chapel Hill, North Carolina) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Le Cant Basque (Audio CD)

When I bought this disc I was expecting something a little more "folksy". The tunes are popular among the Basques, but this isn't a "traditional" recording, in the usual sense of the word. Oldarra is a male choir, and they sing in the Chapel of Notre Dame du Refuge in Anglet in the French Basque Country. The music bears a remarkable resemblance to Russian Orthodox chant, which is reinforced by the acoustics in the church. For the most part, the songs are for male choir alone, but there are a few which call for a "txalaparta" ('sticks' is the only way to describe it) and a Basque flute. Some of the songs were written in the 20th century, but most are traditional Basque songs harmonized for the choir.

I thought the disc dragged the first time I listened to it, apart from some tracks nobody could possibly not like -- like the majestic opening song, "Maitia nun zira?" (My sweetheart, where are you?). But gradually I got addicted to it. The music is like the Basque language and people: seemingly forbidding and inaccesible at first, but fascinating the more you get to know them.

Amazon.com's audio clips give a good idea of the music, but can't capture its power. Another plus is that the CD notes include the original text and a translation. -- If you're looking for something more traditional and folksy, look elsewhere, but this is an impressive disc. 5 stars.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars genuine basque songs by a genuine basque choir, December 2, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Le Cant Basque (Audio CD)

As in their first CD, oldarra sing euskadi with true feelings. Old choirs never die. If you ever have the opportunity to hear them live, don't miss it.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Addictive, September 26, 2001

By 

"katedyer" (San Francisco, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Le Cant Basque (Audio CD)

We had no idea what we were getting when we ordered this CD -- in fact, we had been hoping for "txistu" Basque flute music (which this, decidedly, is not). But we have been BLOWN AWAY by this a capella male chorus, singing soulful chant-like traditional tunes in Euskadi, the Basque language. We listen to it on Sunday mornings, while hosting dinner parties, or whenever we want to fill our home with wonderful music. HIGHLY recommended. We would buy any other CD this group produces.