Feast of Fools

Philip Pickett (Artist), New London Consort (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 16, 1993)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Polygram Records
• ASIN: B000004CXZ
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #171,158 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a voice teacher and early music fan, April 15, 2007

By 

George Peabody "Ariel" (U.S.A.) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Feast of Fools (Audio CD)

ENTERTAINING BUT DISDAINING; FROM THIS YOU SHOULD BE REFRAINING!!!

The medieval Feast of Fools was held sometime between Christmas and Epiphany, particularly on New Year's Day, the Feast of the Circumcision. The chief location of the festivities was the church itself, and the principal organizers were the subdeacons or lower clergy.

The ruling idea of the Feast was the inversion of status and the performance of the inferior clergy of functions normally carried out by their betters. The celebrations were relics of the ancient ceremonies of renewal and rebirth which took place at New Year and involved the temporary overturning of all values. The Feast was widely celebrated in cathedrals and collegiate churches in France, and rather less in Flanders, England and Germany and Bohemia.

The Feast was celebrated in many different ways. This recording of parts of a typical Feast of Fools is based on two medieval MSS containing chants 'proper' to the Mass.

The music is performed by 6 very excellent soloists: C.Bott,T. Bonner (sopranos)-J.M.Ainsley (tenor)-M. George, S. Charlesworth (baritones) and S. Grant (bass). There is a small chorus who does a fabulous job of changing their vocal tone qualities to suit the many different 'moods' of the varied selection: some outright imitation of the soloist, some VERY serious and some quite humourous.

The New London Consort with its period instruments make the perfect accompaniment (when needed ) for this rendition. I must say that although this is very well done, I find it somewhat offensive to hear; only because it is making a mockery of the religious ceremonies of the church. BUT having said this, it's quite entertaining and I DO listen to it from time to time. If you like early music, this is worth the listening.

The package includes a very informative booklet in English, that includes the Latin text with English translation.