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1995 Lutherse Kerk, Haarlem Ensemble for Medieval Music Aventure Lize van Jaarsveld · voice Anna Böker · fiddle Ita Hijmans · recorder

O, snode welt
The Waning of the Middle Ages in the German-speaking Countries


The songs included on this CD reflect the waning of the medieval tradition of music and literature in the German-speaking areas. The songs are set against a background of great political unrest and the plague. In 1378 two rival popes were seeking the leadership of the Western Church. The Great Schism divided Europe and it would take until well into the 15th century before order was restored. Of course, this order was entirely different than before. During the time of the schism the Council of Constance (1414-1418) was a major event - not least for the music. All of Europe was represented there, and among the retinue of the mighty were the musicians. Another source of unrest were the wars the German king Sigismund had to fight in order to maintain his laboriously gained position. Furthermore, the plague afflicted Europe from 1347 onwards for some decades.

In reaction, there was a strong desire for a better world, life and security. Fro welt (Lady World) - with a beautiful façade, but worm-eaten underneath is a symbol of earthly pleasures, temptation and decay. Mary is the way to a morally good life, she is portrayed as the ideal woman, and connected with the joys of the month May. In between these is the place of Man, often in the person of a knight, lamenting, hoping and despairing, only certain of the fact that he has to die some day.

Oswald von Wolkenstein was born in 1377 at castle Schöneck. He was descended from a knightly family long settled in South-Tirol. Wars and pilgrimages led him to Spain, Hungary, England, Italy and the Holy Land, often in the service of king Sigismund. His participation in the Council of Constance must certainly have been the highlight of his political career.

Also present at this Council was Hugo von Montfort, like Oswald a member of king Sigismund's Order of the Drake. Hugo, count of Bregenz, was an erudite man. His texts are highly symbolic and combine the tradition of courtly love with religion. Only eight of his songs have been handed down to us with melodies composed by Burk Mangold. The Monk of Salzburg, the author of a voluminous manuscript containing both sacred and secular songs, is an exponent of the local musical tradition. His Leich 'Ju ich iag', which in one of the sources is preserved as a canon, can be associated with the French chasse 'Umblement vos pri merchi'. This is all the more remarkable as the Monk is not known to have travelled much. Furthermore, the frequently occurring parallel fifths and octaves point in the direction of the local polyphonic style, as we find it in the works of Petrus Wilhelmi de Grudenz and Heinrich Laufenberg.

In a culture where oral tradition played an important role, musical sources mostly convey only the melody and the text. In order to perform this music, knowledge of the ways and rules of music making of the time - insofar as this can be obtained from the available sources - is essential. For the accompaniment of the monophonic songs we use two practices often mentioned in German manuscripts: 'alternatim' - playing (playing alternately) and quintenieren (playing or singing polyphonically using the fifth as the basic concord interval, 'fifthing'). We have also made a couple of instrumental versions of vocal pieces in a way that was possibly done at the time.

The polyphonic compositions all belong to the tradition typical for the German-speaking countries in the 15th century, fundamentally different from the polyphonic styles of the Trecento and the Ars nova. The politically turbulent times eventually also had an effect on the musical situation. The international polyphonic style originating in France found its way into German music. Marking this point in the development, 'Der mai mit lieber Zal' also takes a special place in this recording: It's May again, autumn's waning mood is over.



1. WER IST DIE DA DURCHLEUCHTET
This is a song of praise to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and at the same time a spring song.
Who is she, who shines more brightly than the sun, and pleases us with dance and flowers in May? A noble and beautiful Virgin who has set us free from the jaws of hell through her Son. Who can praise this Virgin enough? There never was a more pleasant girl on earth, so filled with love and so pure, beautiful like a ruby. I would love to praise her and hope for her mercy. Who is this thornless rose about whom one reads and speaks. She will save us from hell at the day of judgment. She will keep those who follow her from the path to hell. Break the devil's spear, keep the javelin at bay, beloved Virgin! Amen.

2. VIRGO DULCIS
A prayer to Mary.
Sweet Virgin, awake those who sleep on their path through life, and beg forgiveness for us sinners. May everybody be prepared for a life among the chosen at the sound of the trumpet.
In this song the trumpet is a symbol for the last judgment and refers to the horn of the watchman announcing the new dawn.

3. O, SNODE WELT
Oh shameful world, your fickleness is beyond understanding. You make false promises. Through toil and strife we are brought only closer to hell. Daily we strive for status and worldly possessions, but all that finally counts is our good deeds!

5. JU ICH IAG
Day and night I go in search of my beloved. She is utterly delightful and only she can still my suffering. I give thanks to Nature for such a creature. In faraway lands my amorous fantasies lead only to thoughts of her. Our reunion will be joyous because in the face of happiness those who gossip lose all importance. May all my neighbours treat me well!

6. FRO WELT
Dialogue between a knight and Frau Welt.
'Frau Welt, you appear so enticing and yet he who follows you finds only despair.'
'Dearest young man, can you no longer enjoy life? Forget your cares and join me in the dance.'
'I have given up dancing. From what I've seen of this world all is a mockery!'
'It seems you want to enter a monastery. Look at the world in a brighter light. Let love comfort you, or do you no longer believe in it?'
'I don't know. The world is but transitory. Your advice means nothing to me. God alone is just. The world is full of lies and treachery!'
'What a change has come over you. Away with all sadness! How can one person contemplate all matters? Come, let's have fun!'

8. MICH STRAFT EIN WACHTER
A kind of dawn song in which the singer abjures worldly love.
Early one morning a watchman asked me: 'When will you finally stop writing your dance songs?' I replied: 'As of today I shall praise only the first among women because mortal women are not worthy of my adoration. Watchman, see dawn is breaking in the east: awake all good women. May God grant them abundant joy and pleasure.'

9. PRESULIS EMINENCIAM
In this song the virtues of the Bishop Martin are praised. The word painting of the exclamation 'gigas, gigas' are reminiscent of triadic melodies as so often heard in German-speaking areas in the 15th century.

10. ICH SPÜR EIN TIER
Confronted by death I see the awful beast approaching. He will trample me into the ground and pierce me with his horns. I am invited to the dance of death and I must account for my sins in front of God. If only I could live a little longer I could atone for my sins! My countless sins overwhelm me and my virtues can alas be counted on the fingers of one hand. Oh, that money could pay off my debts; that the blessed Virgin Mary could plead for intercession on my behalf.

11. O, DE TERDENIS CORDULIS VOX
In this song of praise God is exulted with voices and instruments. In the second part of this possibly didactic piece, all note values are enumerated: maximas, longas, breves, semibreves etc. The sound of instruments is imitated in this piece too.

12. DU ARMER MENSCH
Praising all Creation: lowly creature repent for your sins! Oh Holy Ghost, teach us that we may know the word of the Father. I want to praise Gods' Creation in my song. The sun, the moon and the stars; the mountains and valleys; all creatures from the lowest worm, praise Him. Even the devil humbles in His presence. Know that your life is a sacred gift.

13. ILLIBATA VIRGO
Eternally blessed Virgin Mary, purify our souls. We beseech you, pray for us, oh Holy Mother of God.

14. DER MAI MIT LIEBER ZAL
The world is filled with the rich sounds of spring: every bird sings its own unique song.