Music for Alfonso the Wise [Import]

Alfonso X (el Sabio) (Composer), Martin Codax (Composer), Dufay Collective (Performer), William Lyons (Orchestra), Vivian Ellis (Performer), Vivien Ellis (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Dufay Collective, Vivian Ellis, Vivien Ellis
• Orchestra: William Lyons
• Composer: Alfonso X (el Sabio), Martin Codax
• Audio CD (January 11, 2005)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Harmonia Mundi Fr.
• ASIN: B0006Z2LLU
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #235,430 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant, August 1, 2006

By 

EquesNiger (Prague, Czech Republic) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Music for Alfonso the Wise (Audio CD)

This compilation is dedicated to the works and compositions of Alfonso X, 13th century King of Castile and Leon, and a Renaissance man long before the concept of Renaissance had even been conceived. Alfonso was responsible for a tremendous period of advancement in learning in medieval Europe, and was a remarkable scholar and composer in his own right. At a time when the Bishop of Paris enjoyed a library of only four volumes, Alfonso had sponsored a library in Castile with over 30,000, collecting the works Christians, Muslims and Jews into one massive complex devoted to learning and freedom of thought. In this latter vein, Alfonso was also a competent astrologer, and, some say, adept of the esoteric Art. Irrespective of this, he was ill favored by the Church, predominantly due to his tolerance of the Muslims and Jews, with whom the Christian residents of Castile lived in harmony in contrast to the balance of the known world of the day.

DuFay Collective are, in a word, brilliant, basically the Pink Martini of the music of the period. Their music never fails to transport you back in time. In this collaboration with the 13th century Castilian King, they have produced a phenomenal, almost mystical album, whose compositions are highly reminiscent of those of Hildegard von Bingen, and the evocative and mystical harmony of the album Diadema, by Vox.

Of all of the works by DuFay to date, this is, by far, my favorite. It takes the mind and soul to other places. It is truly a masterpiece, and a collaborative effort across 700 years between an enlightened King at the end of the Dark Ages, and master performers of medieval music in modern times.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rare, December 9, 2007

By 

Thomas Laverty "tomás tomás" (michigan) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Music for Alfonso the Wise (Audio CD)

To put it simply, this album is recorded, mixed, mastered, and most importantly, played like true troubadours of this time. The Dufay Collective are among the world's finest modern-troupes. "Macar E Door" and "Martin Jograr" are my recommended tracks.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A magnificent interpretation/rendition of Alfonso the Wise courtly compositions, December 30, 2008

By 

Ken Cybulska "Ken Cybulska" (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Music for Alfonso the Wise (Audio CD)

As excellent as it ever could have sounded with all the trappings of modern recording equipment/techniques.

A splendid rendering of the work and an absolutely excellent comparative version. Vocal as well as instrumental work are done to perfection and the artistic interpretation is wonderful.

There seems to be a renewed interest in the music of this period judging from all the recently recorded CD's by various groups, and this is definitely one of the nicer renditions of these historic compositions.

Solid 5 Star Rated.

Ken Cybulska