El Camino de Santiago

On this CD:

1. Ab Antiquo Episcopo Beneventano Editus
Composed by Codex Calixtinus Anonymous
Performed by Fontegara Consort

2. Vox nostra
Composed by Codex Calixtinus Anonymous
Performed by Fontegara Consort

3. Annua gaudia
Composed by Codex Calixtinus Anonymous
Performed by Fontegara Consort

4. A Sancto Fortunato, Pictavensi Episcopo Editus
Composed by Codex Calixtinus Anonymous
Performed by Fontegara Consort

5. Ay, Santa Maria
Composed by Cantigas de Santa Maria Anonymous
Performed by Fontegara Consort

6. O que en coita
Composed by Cantigas de Santa Maria Anonymous
Performed by Fontegara Consort

7. Rosa das Rosas
Composed by Cantigas de Santa Maria Anonymous
Performed by Fontegara Consort

8. Sevillana
Composed by Cantigas de Santa Maria Anonymous
Performed by Fontegara Consort

9. O Virgo splendens (Llibre Vermell)
Composed by Llibre Vermell de Montserrat Anonymous
Performed by Fontegara Consort

10. Stella splendens in monte
Composed by Llibre Vermell de Montserrat Anonymous
Performed by Fontegara Consort

11. Laudemus virginem
Composed by Llibre Vermell de Montserrat Anonymous
Performed by Fontegara Consort

12. Splendens ceptigera
Composed by Llibre Vermell de Montserrat Anonymous
Performed by Fontegara Consort

13. Los Set gotxs recomptarem
Composed by Llibre Vermell de Montserrat Anonymous
Performed by Fontegara Consort

14. Cuncti simus concanentes
Composed by Llibre Vermell de Montserrat Anonymous
Performed by Fontegara Consort

15. Polorum Regina
Composed by Llibre Vermell de Montserrat Anonymous
Performed by Fontegara Consort

16. Mariam Matrem Virginem
Composed by Llibre Vermell de Montserrat Anonymous
Performed by Fontegara Consort

17. Inperayritz de la ciutat ioyosa
Composed by Llibre Vermell de Montserrat Anonymous
Performed by Fontegara Consort

18. Ad Mortem Festinamus (fol. 26v)
Composed by Llibre Vermell de Montserrat Anonymous
Performed by Fontegara Consort

Tracks:

Jhesus Christ
A Que Por Muy Gran Fremosura
Romance De Don Boyso
Pregoneros Van Y Vienen
Nani, Nani
El Rey De Francia
Ondas Do Mar
Mia Yrmana
Lanquan Li Jorn
La Perneta
Gratulantes Celebremus Festum
Non E Gran Cousa
Mariam Matrem
Ad Superni
O Maria Maris Stella
Cuncti Potens Genitor Deus
Benedicamus Domino
Sancta Mater Graciae/Dou Way, Robin
Dum Pater Familias

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This record will transport you into a different world of sound and spirit: simpler, purer, more tranquil and serene. The program consists of chants from the 12th to the 15th centuries and includes several Sephardic songs--some quite dancelike, some rather mournful. Though the melodic range of the chants is naturally very limited, and the prevailing mood is devotional and somber, they have a lot of textural diversity. Some are purely instrumental, others are for one or two unaccompanied voices. When the tenor and bass sing alone, the latter provides a drone to the former's more florid line, or they move in open intervals, alternating between unison and solo. Their duets with the soprano combine unison, conversational give and take, and counterpoint. Most of the chants use a wide variety of vocal and instrumental combinations, with fascinating results. The final song employs the entire group; vigorous, assertive, and celebratory, it keeps adding voices and instruments, becoming increasingly elaborate.

The performing group is most admirable. Several singers also play numerous instruments, which include a citole, a cornemuse, a hackbrett simulating a psalterion, a Persian def, and a Syrian rek, in addition to the more familiar vieles and a large variety of flutes and percussion. Among the singers, tenor Hervé Lamy is outstanding. His voice is sweet and velvety, his expressiveness both chaste and intense.