Early Music (Lachrymae Antiquae)

Jack Body (Composer), John Cage (Composer), John Dowland (Composer), Hildegard of Bingen (Composer), Kassia (Composer), David Lamb (Composer, Performer), Guillaume de Machaut (Composer), Kronos Quartet (Performer), Joan Jeanrenaud (Performer)

Product Details

• Performer: David Lamb, Kronos Quartet, Joan Jeanrenaud
• Composer: Jack Body, John Cage, John Dowland, Hildegard of Bingen, Kassia, et al.
• Audio CD (September 16, 1997)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Nonesuch
• ASIN: B000005J4S
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #155,966 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #20 in	Music > Classical > Featured Composers, A-Z > ( S ) > Schnittke, Alfred
  #21 in	Music > Classical > Featured Composers, A-Z > ( M ) > Machaut, Guillaume de
  #26 in	Music > Classical > Featured Performers, A-Z > ( K ) > Kronos Quartet

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording

Don't get too comfortable with this disc's opening minutes, which sound convincingly like a well-tuned consort of viols performing two short pieces by Machaut and Tye. These two works from the 14th and 16th centuries quickly give way to a piece from 1997 by David Lamb. Then come Arvo Part, Harry Partch, John Cage, and even Moondog, a.k.a. Louis Hardin. Additional instruments come and go- -harmonium, bagpipe, zhong ruan, nyckelharpa, drum--all of which complement and enhance the string sounds. Later, we hear music by Hildegard von Bingen, Perotin, and even Purcell. Most of the selections from early composers are arrangements by the Kronos Quartet and others, but it's a tribute to the recording's producers that in spite of the music's diversity, everything works together to make a coherent, cohesive, intellectually, and musically challenging program. --David Vernier

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not as early as you might think, June 6, 2000

By	Scott Taylor (Tallahassee, FL United States) - See all my reviews

Yes, there is "old" music on this disc. But works in olden style by John Cage, Arvo Part, et al are also present. Quite a challenging program on the listener - but rewarding as well. I am particularly found of Kronos' setting of Alfred Shnittke's "Collected Songs Where Every Verse is Filled With Grief". Very eclectic recording performed with usual finesse of the Kronos Quartet - and some guests.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A pretty so-so effort, better luck next time?, November 25, 1998

By A Customer

Really this is a two star album, but I gave it three here because I would feel like a wretch slamming this record. After all, Kronos is a tremendous quartet and have done more to unstuff and save classical music than anyone else. How else would I have ever heard about Schnittke or Moondog? But genuine care for artists requires an honest appraisal of each work on its own and I found this to be pretty lifeless and not nearly as cathartic as Kronos fans expect. The absolute career low point comes with an awful rendering of Harry Partch that betrays the composer's aesthetic. There are good reasons to have this CD however, and many of the pieces will serve as pleasing interludes when CD changers are put on random play. All things considered, I won't be selling this one, but I wouldn't buy it again.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a good one, December 2, 1999

By A Customer

Who can say, as of now, how much of the music the KQ plays will fall, deservedly or not, by the wayside and how much of it will continue for the ages? At any rate, this CD is rewarding. I like the mix of quirky pieces with the staid, even if the title "Early Music" is misleading (since few original instruments are utilized in this record). Fine work; highly recommended.