Sephardic Romances: Traditional Jewish Music from Spain

Sephardic Traditional (Composer), Galician Traditional (Composer), Ensemble Accentus (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Ensemble Accentus
• Composer: Sephardic Traditional, Galician Traditional
• Audio CD (February 4, 1997)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Naxos
• ASIN: B0000014EE
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #13,811 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #6 in Music > World Music > Middle East > Israel
  • #7 in Music > Classical > Opera & Vocal > Vocal Non-Opera > Songs & Lieder > Folk Songs
  • #9 in Music > Classical > Forms & Genres > Lullabies & Berceuse

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars easily the most formidable instrumentalists in early music, August 7, 2001

By 

Mark L. Walker (Arlington Heights, IL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sephardic Romances: Traditional Jewish Music from Spain (Audio CD)

Note, however, that Sephardic music is NOT verifiably medieval, having been recorded only in the 20th century. Also note that Sephardic songs are/were rarely accompanied by instruments (all the arrangements here are instrument-heavy). Nonetheless, the fact remains that Michael Posch, Marco Ambrosini, Riccardo Delfino, and Thomas Wimmer are among the very few truly brilliant early music players at large. Their names may never be trumpeted by early music critics, but that's because said critics tend to be desiccated scholars instead of impassioned musicians (rather like most of the performers they critique). This CD features lots of compelling improvisations and extended solos -- including one, "kavaldulka", that's just from another world. Purists be damned: the musicianship is too good to be missed! btw, the ensemble is also known as Unicorn and Oni Wytars.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent. Budget in price only, September 16, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Sephardic Romances: Traditional Jewish Music from Spain (Audio CD)

Five stars for a CD that only costs as many dollars might seem like overkill, but this really is a gem. The songs range from the humorous La Serena ("si la mar era de leche, los barquitos de canela, yo me mancharia entera por salvar la mia bandiera"), to the wistful Esta montana d'enfrente, but there are also ehoes of sadness as a slave mother lullabies to her switched babe in Partos trocados and a girl prisoner sings to the tombs of her ancestors in Ya viene el cativo. In comparison with the equally good 1998 release "El canto espiritual judeoespanol" by Alia Musica under Sanchez (HMI 987015) Wimmer gives a bigger role to the instruments here featuring 6 instrumental pieces. And while Sanchez features 7 singers, all the songs on the Naxos disc fall to the mezzo Carmen Cano. Another difference is that while Cano sings in Spanish, half of the Alia Musica disc is in Hebrew. But not to worry as both of these discs feature full texts and translations. 59'15" playing time.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ladino-Ensemble Accentus, May 18, 2000

By 

Amelia Chandler-Lewy (Houston, Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sephardic Romances: Traditional Jewish Music from Spain (Audio CD)

Of all the Ladino/Sephardic music I have come across, this is one of the most lovingly crafted compilations. The ensemble treats every song with respect and care, and plays them with great spirit. The songs chosen were also organized in a way that helps to reflect the beauty of the music. Absolutely enchanting!