Viva Mediva!
/ Mediva
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
All arrangements copyright of Mediva.
All rights reserved. Any copying, redistributing,
broadcasting. public performance, hiring or renting
of this recording is strictly prohibited