Track Listing

1. Le Manuscrit du Roi: Dance no 1
2. Le Manuscrit du Roi: Estampie royal no 1
3. Calenda maya - Raimbaut de Vaqeiras
4. Le Manuscrit du Roi: Estampie royal no 2
5. Le Manuscrit du Roi: Estampie royal no 3
6. Non posc sofrir qu'a la dolor - Giraut de Bornelh
7. Le Manuscrit du Roi: Estampie royal no 4
8. Le Manuscrit du Roi: Estampie royal no 5
9. No m'agrad iverns ni pascors - Raimbaut de Vaqeiras
10. Le Manuscrit du Roi: Dance no 2
11. Le Manuscrit du Roi: Estampie royal no 6
12. Le Manuscrit du Roi: Estampie royal no 7
13. Pax in nomine Domini - Marcabru
14. Le Manuscrit du Roi: Estampie royal no 8
15. Le Manuscrit du Roi: Dansse real

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #59029 in Music
• Released on: 2008-04-28
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Hybrid SACD
• Dimensions: .32 pounds
• Running time: 72 minutes

Review
Plunging headlong into the sonorities and moods of a long-lost world, Hesperion charges each melody with invention and daring...Brilliantly engineered, the contrasts of colours, play with textures and mix of timbres infuse the disc with vitality. The uniqueness of this recording is equal to that of its source. --Berta Joncus, BBC Music Magazine

Review
Jordi Savall's discs can always be relied on to widen listeners' musical horizons in the most enjoyable way possible, and this fascinating collection of dances from a French manuscript compiled around 1300 is no exception.

Each piece is given its own distinctive flavour with a scoring chosen from Hespèrion XXI's intriguing palette of instrumental colours, which include not only bowed and plucked strings, flutes and a panoply of percussion, but also dulcimer, hurdy-gurdy and a piquant pair of oboe-like chalemies.

Toe-tappingly compulsive rhythmic energy and exuberance, combined with improvisatory spontaneity, give the performances an appealing air of timelessness. --Elizabeth Roche, Daily Telegraph, 14 June 2008

Customer Reviews

Lovely hypnotic music
I was recommended this CD by a friend who shares my generally rock-pop-jazz-soul-funk taste in music. I suggested he try Shuggie Otis "Inspiration Information" and in return he suggested this record to me. I bought it in Amoeba Records but didnt even know which category to find it in.

With the help of the Amoeba staff I tracked it down to Classical - Cello, which I'm not convinced is the right category.

This is 13th century instrumental music. Played on old looking instruments (I am clearly no expert) and its very rhythmic.

I can hear Folk melodies, middle-eastern (post crusades?), scottish bagpipes, church music and even proto-JS Bach in the recordings. I thought it all a little samey on the first listen, but let it play in the background and have come to really enjoy it. Track 6 "Chanson d'apres" is the standout tune for me.

Overall - worth a listen if you are feeling adventurous.