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Songs and dances from medieval Spain and Italy







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© 2006 Mediva

2007
[41:00]











1. Amor mi fa cantar   [1:21]
Anon., 14th century Italy — Instrumental

2. Virgen madre gloriosa   [3:25]   CSM  340
Cantiga de Santa Maria no 340, 13th century Spain
Hymn to the Virgin Mary

3. I'vo'bene   [3:54]   Anon., 14th century Italy
I can love anybody who falls in love with me but have no time for those who only love themselves

4. Adiu, adiu dous dame   [3:18]   Francesco LANDINI
Farewell, farewell sweet lady ...

5. Belicha   [5:28]
Anon., 14th century Italy — Instrumental


6. O rosa bella   [9:20]   Johannes CICONIA
O beautiful rose, o sweet soul of mine, do not let me die ...

7. Tod' aqueste   [4:12]   CSM  413
Cantiga de Santa Maria 3 — Instrumental

8. Ondas do mar   [3:53]   Martin CODAX   ca  I
Waves of the sea at Vigo, have you seen my lover ...

9. Mandad' ei comigo   [2:54]   Martin CODAX   ca  II
Mother, my lover is returning to me

10. Mui grandes noit' e dia   [3.59]   CSM  57
Cantiga de Santa Maria 57
Evil robbers who attack a noble lady on her way to Montserrat are struck down by the Virgin Mary






Mediva
directed by Ann Allen

Clare Norburn — soprano
Ariane Prüssner — alto
Ann Allen — shawms, recorders
Sarah Humphrys — shawms, recorders
Becky Davey — recorders, rebec
Kate Allott — rebec
Andrej Jovanic — oud, lute
Masa Kasahara — saz
Leah Stuttard — harp, percussion
Lester Bennett — percussion




Mediva is a vibrant ensemble drawn from the leading exponents of medieval music in their generation throughout Europe. Many of the musicians have trained at leading London conservatoires and at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis, Switzerland, as well as playing music from various folk traditions. Recent finalists in the International Young Artists Competition at the York Early Music Festival, they have since gone on to be in great demand at festivals in the UK and abroad. Frequent guests on Radio 4's 'Loose Ends', they have also been featured on Radio 3's 'In Tune', 'Late Junction' and 'Music Restored'.


Calliope Productions: 33 Lancaster Rd, London, N4 4P). Tel: 020 7281 6864
info@mediva.co.uk www.mediva.co.uk





Spain

During the Middle Ages a wealth of music was composed in the Iberian Peninsula. The most famous of all was the Cantigas de Santa Maria, a collection of over 400 songs to the Virgin Mary, compiled under the royal patronage of Alfonso X (the Wise). Some of these songs are simple hymns in praise of the Virgin but the vast majority recount the many miracles Mary allegedly performed.
Martin Codax was a troubadour working in Galicia, north-west Spain. A cycle of seven of his beautiful love songs has survived, two of which are performed here.

Italy

The 14th century saw a great flowering of the arts in Italy. It was at this time that Dante composed his epic Divine Comedy, Boccaccio was writing the Decameron and Giotto began to bring realism to art. In music, a new school of highly sophisticated polyphony emerged culminating in the monumental oeuvre of Francesco Landini and Johannes Ciconia. From this period an intriguing set of dances has survived. Much longer and more complex than any dances written before, they are surprisingly exotic and have intrigued scholars for years.






A special thanks
to Susan Allen for going above and beyond the call of duty,
to Paul Leader for all his hard work and generosity,
to Karen Glenn and Rick Walton for all their time and enthusiasm and
to Peter Allen, Alastair Ross and Lester Bennett for making this CD possible.



Recording Enginner: Paul Leader
Musical Producer: Karen Glenn
Sound Editor: Rick Walton
Cover Design: Ann Allen
Recorded June 2000, Presdales School, UK
© 2000 Mediva

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