Customer Reviews

Music for Alfonso the Wise

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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.

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.

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

This record is new to me, as is most music of this type, from this era. I've a taste for middle-eastern music, both Islamic and otherwise -- including Hindu -- and am wild about most Hungarian and Slavic music. The frankly Sephardic music I've heard I find rapturous and profoundly satisfying. This music of EL SABIO fits into that category, easily, and the musicality of the performers is distinctive in the best way.

A new favorite has appeared on my shelves.

Music for Alfonso the Wise is a recording of music from 13th century spain and is played by the Dufay Collective on this harmonia mundi recording from 2005. The sound quality is amazing as always being that is a harmonia mundi recording. The booklet contains 40 pages and includes many fine many fine paintings from the time when the music was first played. William Lyons has written the music notes. Highly recommended. 5/5.