Signum

Michael Popp (Composer), Estampie (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Estampie
• Composer: Michael Popp
• Audio CD (July 16, 2007)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Noir Records
• ASIN: B0009IOS24
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #290,728 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

From the Artist

"Death and the fragility of the world were deeply rooted in the consciousness of medieval man. On the one hand there was the constant and imminent threat (to) life by illness, hunger, cold, violence and so on. On the other hand there was the Christian faith in which the expectation of the apocalypse was crucial. Soon the signs of the forthcoming end of the world would emerge, as there were: total chaos, revolution and rebellion, natural catastrophe and the rise of the (great) deceiver of the world, the Antichrist.

Again and again the moment of the apocalypse was calculated and predicted, especially at the end of the 1000 year interregnum after the death of Christ. For medieval man these events were no abstract thoughts but (actually) part of his conception of the world.

People suffered from heavy burdens of everyday life and were at the same time in great fear and hopeful expectation of the approaching end. Naturally this world of thought also plays a major role in medieval art and literature.

Signum comprises texts which express this threatening apocalypse as well as the remembrance of the transience of (the) worldly life of every single human being."

Product Description

Authentic medieval languages, songs and over fifteen instruments take the listener on an hour-long journey back through time. Lush, beautiful female vocals, sometimes in contrast with choral arrangements, deliver a harmonious and warm feel throughout the album. This captivating yet comforting sound belies the often dark subject matter of the lyrics (all in Latin save one piece in medieval German), which focus primarily on medieval man's concept of the apocalypse.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Romantic Medieval Dancing / Festive Music, August 25, 2006

By 

M. Mierzwa (Davis, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Signum (Audio CD)

About the Band:
Estampie is a German medieval band named after a style of dance from the Middle Ages which involved lots of hopping and stomping of the feet. For those of you not familiar with this style of music, simply think of music you might associate with a castle (think Lord of the Rings). True to the name, Estampie provides joyful and energetic music that you'll want to skip to. Featuring an ensemble of talented musicians, with key members including Syrah (Sigrid Hausen) and Michael Popp of Qntal and Ernst Schwindl, Estampie can be characterized by their exclusive use of an extensive array of traditional instruments (no electronics) including harps, various pipes and flutes, an array of drums, and numerous stringed instruments.

About the Album:
Long before I bought Signum, I've heard Estampie on many middle ages (or mittlealters in German) compilations. The album is nearly a full hour in length and an absolute joy to listen to. Most of the tracks feature multiple vocalists, which though typical of heavenly voices and neo-medieval music, is always a treat. Various percussion instruments are used to establish a welcoming beat, while the pipes and/or stringed instruments used build out a romantic melody.

Recommended Tracks:
- A Voi Gente
- Alle Psallite
- Razon
- Al Jorn - Carceres
- Cry del la Mort

If you enjoy bagpipes, then you'll love Sine Nomine. Sometimes I've been able to talk DJs into playing Estampie at goth / industrial clubs, but I must point out that the band is appropriately named, as tracks like Sine Nomine are so fast that you will be tempted to dance estampie style (skip and hop). However, in contrast to the fast paced tracks, the Signum also features slower and calm choral tracks such as Al Jorn - Carceres (which tend to be my favorites).

Finally I must point out that Signum features both male and female vocals, often sung together. It is a rare treat to pull so many talented vocalists and musicians together in one period band.

Similar Artists:
- Corvus Corax
- Irfan
- Qntal
- Love Is Colder Than Death
- Moon Far Away
- Das Zeichen

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Medieval, May 31, 2005

By 

BALACI MARCEL (Craiova,Romania) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Signum (Audio CD)

Estampie, the musical collaboration of singer Sigrid Hausen (Syrah) and mastermind Michael Popp (Qntal), is deemed to be the leading medieval music act. Their haunting interpretations of old music found fans in many countries, amongst aficionados of Classical music as well as within the world music and independent music scenes. Estampie always spearheaded the popular medieval scene and are referred to as a source of inspiration by a lot of bands playing medieval music. Their eighth album titled "Signum" offers again music from the 12th to the 15th Centuries rife with insistent mysticism and stirring drive with technical perfection. The ambitious arrangements are a result of a long lasting dealing with this kind of music and are crowned with choirs and particularly with Syrah`s transcendental voice. A one-of-a-kind listening pleasure!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Deserves 6 stars at least..., August 22, 2007

By 

Spibbles (the frozen tundra) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Signum (Audio CD)

This was my first Estampie album purchase, and I'm not much of a medieval music connoisseur (yet), so I don't bring much to the table in the way of scholarly discourse regarding namesake etymology or source material or whatever.

In fact, the most helpful thing I can probably tell you is that this will certainly NOT be my LAST Estampie album purchase.

I'd run out of Corvus Corax albums to buy, so I started sniffing around Amazon for something similar, listening to sound samples of "Customers who bought this also bought..." items. I stumbled onto Signum, and the sound samples whetted my appetite, so I went ahead and bought it.

OMG. "Sine Nomine" alone is worth the price of the album (BAGPIPES!!!), as is "Trotto" (BAGPIPES!!!), and, well, everything else is just plain fantastic too. If you like medieval-style music that's not too tame or stuffy or proper, but not contaminated by overwhelming infusions of modern elements like synthesizers or drum machines, Estampie might be for you.

But don't take my word for it. Listen to the sound samples and see for yourself. If only all of their other albums weren't so blasted expensive or hard to find...