Codex Las Huelgas: Music from 13th Century Spain

Huelgas Ensemble (Artist), Paul van Nevel (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 16, 1993)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0000028YQ
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #276,454 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Just how engaging, catchy, lively, and artful can 13th century Spanish music be? Very, as evidenced by this collection of motets, conductus, mass movements, and strophic songs from the legendary manuscript compiled at the 12th-century Cistercian convent at Las Huelgas. This remarkable program, highlighting only a handful of the nearly 200 works contained in the original manuscript, shows not only the beauty and inventiveness of sacred music of this period, but also how colorful and varied it could be. And just how well sung and played is it? Impressively, as shown by these five exceptional female voices and period instrumentalists from the superb Huelgas Ensemble. Instruments--recorders, fiddles, rebec, and percussion--are sparingly and effectively used, and the singers treat us to exciting yet rarely heard ornamentation, an ancient art that sounds eerily modern. --David Vernier

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The garden of pleasures, June 4, 2003

By A Customer

I just got this cd and after hearing it couple of times i know this : This is one of the best albums of early music that i've had purchase over the years. The vocales are outstanding : authentic and pure angelic and combine this with period instruments and you will get a religion expirience of total beauty.
This album is for pepole who realy apprichiate true early music, it blew me away... dont miss this title, make your self a gift and buy it quick!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best Huelgas Ensemble Record, April 16, 1999

By A Customer

It is music of the 13th century.If you are looking for medieval music, this is highly recomended, you will be astounded by the artists interpretations, it will trasnport you to a medieval court. The female voices are like being in heaven.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is the one to get, November 22, 2006

By	L. Stanley "gymell" (Minnesota, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If you're at all interested in music from the Las Huelgas Codex, one of the monuments of medieval polyphonic notation, this is hands down the best recording. There aren't too many recordings out there solely devoted to this one source. All of the pieces are performed by a various combinations of women's voices and instruments. The women sing with clear voices and impeccable tuning. The instruments add a nice touch. They also experiment quite a bit with ornamentation which makes the performances really interesting. Think Anonymous 4 but with more energy and variety (and I do like Anonymous 4.) I found the 4-part conductus Belial Vocatur particularly enjoyable, and the hocket in Casta Catholica is spot on. I think the original performers would be pleased.