medieval.org
Sap Records, Aurora 003
2005
1. Ave maris stella [2:22]
Codex Sangallensis, 9th century
2. Santa Maria, strela do dia [2:10]
CSM 100
3. Des oge mais [1:47]
CSM 1
4. Santa Maria loei [4:51]
CSM 200
5. Muit' amar devemos [1:39]
CSM 36
6. Gran sandece faz [4:30]
CSM 19
7. Deo confitemini [1:33]
Anonymous
8. Vella e ninya [4:49]
CSM 180
9. Poi-las figuras [3:01]
CSM 136
( preludio e interludios: CSM 119 )
10. Ave Mater O Maria [2:45] Oswald WOLKENSTEIN
11. Como poden per sas culpas [2:02]
CSM 166
12. Por nos de dulta tirar [3:38]
CSM 18
13. Gran piadad' e mercee [5:32]
CSM 105
14. A Madre do que livrou [2:20]
CSM 4
15. Quen mui ben quiser [4:29]
CSM 64
16. Estampie [2:13]
Anonymous, French, 13th century
17. Como somos per conssello [1:00]
CSM 119
The
Virgin Mary is a powerful figure in medieval life and lore. She is, in
many ways, the Goddess in Christian clothing - a reflect, and memory of
the female deities and earth-centered religions that dominated the
ancient world. That she is honored so abundantly in the song and poetry
of the Middle Ages is a testament to her important place in the hearts
of men and women.
Iberian Miracles is a dramatic program of the songs of 13th century
Spain under King Alfonso the Wise. He gathered and wrote hundreds of
songs of love and praise in the troubadour tradition. Aurora Ancient
Music is Liz Thompson (former director of the medieval ensemble Anima),
Susan Comen, Amity Baker, and Judith McManis, joined by
instrumentalists Mary Ann Samuels playing hammered dulcimer and
recorders and Susan Reit playing harp and recorders.
Aurora Ancient Music
Liz Thompson — voice, hurdy-gurdy, percussion
Susan Comen — voice, vielle
Amity Baker — voice, percussion
Mary Ann Samuels — hammered dulcimer, recorders
Susan Reit — harp, recorders
Left to right: Liz Thompson, Director;
Susan Reit; Mary Ann Samuels; Amity Baker; Susan Comen.
IBERIAN MIRACLES
Cantigas de Santa Maria, Plainchant, and Medieval Polyphony
The Cantigas de Santa Maria is an amazing
collection of songs to the Virgin Mary, depicting her as a worker of
miracles in every aspect of life. She is in the street, in the pasture,
in the church, in the monastery, in the home. She offers wisdom,
guidance, and justice. The
stories tell much about life in 13th
century Spain. The Cantigas were assembled by King Alfonso El Sabio (the
wise) who reigned in Spain, in the regions of Castile and Leon, from
1252 to 1284. King Alfonso regarded himself as Mary's Troubadour,
borrowing from the tradition of the secular Troubadours who carried
songs of courtly love throughout the countryside.
The music and
melodies of the Cantigas are as intriguing as the poetry. Although the
music is strongly European, it seems to carry at least some influences
of the Middle East and of Africa in its tonalities and rhythms. This is
not surprising considering the history of the Iberian peninsula. Prior
to Alfonso's time, the area had been dominated by Muslims for centuries.
It also had a large and vital Jewish population - only recently had
Christianity taken hold as the dominant religion there. The presence of a
diversity of cultural groups fed a rich and interesting musical world,
making the Cantigas especially engaging.
Iberian Miracles is a collection of a few of our favorite Cantigas, along with some related pieces from the medieval world.
ABOUT THE SONGS
The Cantigas de Santa Maria are joined here by several earlier or contemporaneous medieval works.
Beginning with the ancient plainchant, Ave Maris Stella, the Virgin Mary is invoked, and the miracle stories of the Cantigas
follow. Some are sung; some others are performed on instruments. We do
not know exactly how these songs would have been accompanied, but the
image at bottom - an illumination from the original Cantigas
manuscript - suggests that harps, hurdy-gurdies and medieval fiddles
might have been used. The instrumentation and arrangements are Aurora's.
They are based partly on historical information and partly on our own
21st century Vermont artistic sensibilities.
Liz Thompson : Photography
Don Jamison : Assistant Engineer
Annette Grant Cash : Artwork
David Gunn : Assistant Engineer
Rob Ostrander : Mastering, Mixing
John E. Keller : Artwork
Andrew Kline : Photography
Peter Engisch : Mixing, Recording
— http://www.allarts.org/art-bits/2003/03-06-12.htm