Customer Reviews

Tous les matins du monde / Jordi Savall (1991 film)

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Once there was a website titled: "Jordi Savall is God!". The site has disappeared, but it's hard not to have sympathy with that viewpoint. Introduced to Savall through this CD, it made me an immediate fan. A strained budget fails to cease the slow but steady accumulation of his music. Still, it is this CD which is brought off the shelf most often, to be enjoyed without reservation.

There has been more than a little grizzling among viola da gamba buffs over Jordi's role in arranging the music for this film. Most of it seems to be pure envy at Savall's scholarship and performing abilities. If nothing else, owning this CD will lead you to a world of beautiful music. That world might even prompt you to listen to others performing the same pieces, each presenting it in their own way.

For those who know the story, the film and the music pivot around the life of Monsieur de Sainte Colombe. A figure of historical mystery, still unidentified, what is known of his life comes from a journal kept by Marais. Grieving for his lost wife, he retired to a hut at the bottom of his garden. Rumour had it he was visited by his wife's ghost, who critiqued his compositions. Sainte Colombe added a new string to the viola, drastically changing the character of the instrument, extending its range and depth. Sainte Colombe was a master composer for the instrument. And Jordi Savall unmatched in his performance of the music.

Savall, of course, has virtually resurrected Monsieur Sainte Colombe's music from the obscurity of the specialist's interest. Now, his melodious renditions are to be found in any classical store shelf. Savall's interpretations, however, remain the pinnacle all other performers aspire to match. This CD has set a standard for 17th Century music renditions. If you are the least interested in the period, the music and/or the range of qualities Sainte Colombe introduced when he added that seventh string to the instrument, this CD is a mandatory beginning. Just be aware that while Jordi Savall may not be [g]od, his music is divine. It will take you to a blissful paradise of sound that you can enjoy again and again. You will never regret buying this disk.

David Vernier's review contains a serious error. This CD is viola di gamba music, not bass viol music. The viola di gamba is a cello sized instrument and consequently is pitched much higher than a bass viol.

This CD proves that it's too bad that the viol family was pretty much killed off by the violin family (except for the aforementioned bass viol). I have bought this CD for several friends and family members. The all are astonished at the music and play the CD over and over.

And by all means, if you can find the tape, see the movie. Such a movie never could have been made in the US. Like the music, the movie is slow, sad, and very beautiful.

Mr. Savall is one of my favorites early music conductor/performer He is well at home with any piece of music from hte medieval to the classical period.Mr. Savall follows strictly the practices and performances procedures of early music.my favorite tracks in this recording are the openning march and the improvisation on "La folia de Espagne".This is a great gift for anyone who loves early music this holyday season... Gracias Sr.Savall !

Although I think the English subtitled version of the film that I saw must have cut out some of what was actually said, as it was full of nonsequiturs, Tous Les Matins Du Monde was beautifly filmed and lovely to simply watch. Music was a huge part of the film, and I found the soundtrack to be incredibly beautiful. I had never heard of a viol in my life, but it is an instrument with a truly beautiful, plaintive sound. This music is at least half of the reason that I enjoyed the film.

It has often been said that French l7th. century music was meant to be courtly, pompous and futile.Here's proof it is sublime ,eternal and almost mystical.

This is the soundtrack from a French film, a fictionalized account of a real-life master of the viola da gamba (a precursor of the cello) who figuratively sells his soul for temporal success. The line I've quoted from the film, from which the title derives, translates literally, "All the mornings of the world are without return," meaning they never come back. The movie centers on the regret that line can imply, and that may explain in part the overall mood of this music, much of which is easy to interpret as full of regret and longing. Whether you experience it that way or simply as meditative and intense, as performed here it's some of the most ravishingly beautiful music on record.

The rich, pungent tones of the viola da gamba, played by Jordi Savall, are the main feature of this CD. Savall is an acknowledged master of the instrument, and of this music. In quick passages he plays effortlessly; in the more expansive passages he caresses each note like it too will never return. The music is varied, including a celebratory introduction, but the more meditative mood predominates. Savall is joined on about half the tracks by a few other choice players in various combinations, with harpsichord, theorbo (a lute-like instrument of low range), violin, and/or second viola da gamba. The first track is the only one to include an entire (small) orchestra. Two tracks include vocals by Savall's wife Montserrat Figueras and Maria Cristina Kiehr.

The music is mostly by the two composers whose relationship is the focus of the movie, the mysterious Sainte-Colombe (c 1630-c 1700) and Marin Marais (1656-1728), with a few pieces by near contemporaries, and one by Savall.

This recording was a surprise hit, selling hundreds of thousands of copies, very unusual for a classical album. People who had never heard of music like this fell in love with it right alongside afficionados.

There is now a 2-disc remastered reissue of this CD with more recently recorded music along the same lines on the second disc (here--there are also samples from the music at that link).

There is absolutley beautiful music on this soundtrack. I loved the film also. I'm so happy I got this CD. It has such great viol da gamba music on it. It's extremely relaxing to listen to.I really recommend this CD if you like viol da gamba music or you liked the movie.

Easily the best recorded version of a personal favorite: Marin Marais' fabulous "Sonnerie de Ste Genvieve..." The imagery of the relentlessly ringing bells is so vivid that you imagine yourself directly under the bell tower!

The entire album is spiritual and rewarding in all aspects - performed with virtuosic furor blending into the most serene of moments in the most seamless manner.

I did not see the motion picture, but I truly wish I had. What joy this music brings!

This is a beautiful and relaxing CD. Two of the tracks have female singers on them (sopranos? very high pitch). The music is very minimalistic most of the time, with just one or two strings playing at once. The CD is full-length at an hour and fifteen minutes (1:15).

The only odd thing about this album is that if you listen on headphones you can hear the viol player breathing heavily while he plays. It can be a little distracting from the music, but I don't think it ruins it.

THis album is as stunning and beautiful as the film. The operatic works and the pieces for Viol are absolutely some of the best. Jordi Savall is wonderful.