Customer Reviews

Music for the Spanish Kings

5 star:		(4)
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Intrigued by the age of the music on this album, I invested $8 in Music for the Spanish Kings when I found it at a used bookstore. This is recording is definitely worth more than $8.

The first half of the first disc is devoted to music from the 1400s, the second half of the disc to music from the 1500s. There are rollicking works with ample (but tasteful) percussion, pieces of quiet reserve with deep Iberian feeling, and songs of all colors performed splendidly by soprano Montserrat Figueras.

The second CD comprises a number of instrumental works by the blind composer Antonio de Cabezón (1510-66). Most works on this disc are quiet and introspective. Sometimes, therefore, the pieces seem to run together, but on the whole this is very enjoyable music.

The only two areas of critique are:
1. More music. Both CDs are a bit over 50 minutes, meaning that more music could have been recorded. This would have given greater variety to the second disc, perhaps.
2. There are no texts for the songs or translations of titles.

If you have ever enjoyed early music, this album is worth investigating. It is neither too Spanish, nor is it not Spanish enough. Jordi Savall and Hespèrion XX do an excellent job and conveying the gentle nostalgia of these pieces. The playing transports the listener hundreds of years back into the courts of the Spanish kings.

This is a wonderful(double)CD, and great value for money. Anyone who loves early music would enjoy this. I'd been looking for Hesperion xx or xxi music for ages, as I'm always hearing them on Radio 3, and I just never came across their recordings in any shops, so this is a real treat. A good variety of sounds, with some beautiful solo singing. I shall definitely be looking for more of their recordings from Amazon in the future.

Jordie Savall and Hesprion XX do it again. I've yet to hear a CD of his that I didn't love. Most of my collection of 15th-17th Century music is English, French, German, and Italian, and I am happy to see the Spanish masters taking their place alongside them.

Jordie Savall et Hesprion font et refont du bel ouvrage ; ma collection de musique prébaroque, comprendre renaissant et antérieur se comptait en musique française, allemande et italienne ; ici c'est l'âge d'or espagnol que restitue finement Jordie Savall ; cette musique très retenue respire la vie de château et celle des fêtes convenues de l'époque ; les airs sont variés et colorés, les voix magnifiques et le jeu d'ensemble très abouti, au bénéfice d'une très bonne prise de sons. A ce prix, ce double album est un réel cadeau. Olé !