Pieces De Viole-Marin Marais (Arr. Duruoz)

On this CD:

1. Suite for viol & continuo in E minor (from Book 2)
Composed by Marin Marais
Performed by Cem Duruoz

2. Suite for viol & continuo in B minor (from Book 2) Transposed to A minor
Composed by Marin Marais
Performed by Cem Duruoz

3. Le Tableau de l'opération de la taille
Composed by Marin Marais
Performed by Cem Duruoz

4. Les Relevailles, for viol & continuo (Book 5, No. 109)
Composed by Marin Marais
Performed by Cem Duruoz

5. Chaconne en rondeau, for viol & continuo (Pièces de viole, Book II) Transposed to A major
Composed by Marin Marais
Performed by Cem Duruoz

6. Marche à la Turque, for viol & continuo in D major (Book 5, No. 21) Transposed to D major
Composed by Marin Marais
Performed by Cem Duruoz

Tracks:

Marche pour la ceremonie des Tures (Jean-Baptiste Lully)
Improvisations sur les folies d'Espagne (Marin Marais) - extraits
Prelude pour Mr. Vauquelin (Improvisation d'apres le Prelude en Sol mineur de Mr. de Sainte Colombe le fils)
Gavotte du Tendre (Mr. de Sainte Colombe)
Une jeune fillette (melodie populaire- arranged by Jordi Savall)
Les Pleurs (Mr. de Sainte Colombe) - solo version by Jordi Savall
Concert a deux violes " Le Retour" (Mr. de Sainte Colombe)
La Reveuse (Marin Marais) 4th book of Pieces de viole
Troisieme Lecon de Tenebres a 2 voix (Francois Couperin)
L'Arabesque (Marin Marais) 4th book of Pieces de viole
Fantaisie en Mi mineur (arranged by J. Savall d'apres Mr. de Sainte Colombe le fils)
Le Pleurs (Mr. de Sainte Colombe) version for 2 viols
Le Badinage (Marin Marais) 4th book of Pieces de viole
Tombeau pour Mr. de Sainte Colombe (Marin Marais)
Muzettes I-II (Marin Marais) 3rd book of Pieces de viole
Sonnerie de Ste. Genevieve du Mont-de- Paris (Marin Marais)

Album Details

The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack to the Film by Jordi Savall.

Customer Reviews:

Beware - this is NOT the right version!.......2007-07-07

This is a fantastic CD and all, but as of July '07, what they're shipping is not the "10 Years After" (Dix Ans Apres) version, which includes a bonus disc and has all 33 pieces listed on this page. I got a single 16-song disc, the same one I bought 3 or 4 years ago. Buyer beware.

Disc one is great....disc two doesn't exist...beware.......2007-07-05

I have the original 16-track version of this recording and couldn't agree more with the glowing comments left by others. However, this listing is somewhat misleading as the reviews mention that it is a newer release with a bonus disc containing 17 extra tracks. Since other reviews and the Alia Vox website itself mention that such a thing exists, I went ahead and ordered it, only to receive the same single disc version I already had. Amazon tells me the double one isn't available, so beware.

It's still great music though.

Hauntingly Beautiful.......2006-06-11

I was introduced to this utterly, utterly gorgeous soundtrack via a "friend of a friend", to whom I am eternally grateful. I listened to this on cassette tape too many times to count. The music is hauntingly beautiful and atmospheric, dark and moody, tragic and deep. This is music from the Baroque period but nothing like Bach, or Purcell, or Handel.

Vive Savall and M. Sainte Colombe .......2006-04-27

I saw the film and was enthralled by the portrayals of Sainte Colombe and Marin Marais. (Depardu was superb as always.) Some reviewers thought the film dull or tedious. I suppose in today's film culture where there is so much action without much substance there are those who would concur. I thought is was an excellent study of the characters and the music, which is rarity even in films about musicians.

French Baroque Performed by The Absolute Master of the Viola Da Gamba.......2005-10-09

In addition to French Baroque being generally and wrongly relegated to secondary status compared to Italian or German Baroque, there are probably less than 200 professional players who specialize in the viola da gamba as an instrument which was used mostly by French Baroque composers. Out of those few 200 performers, Jordi Savall is the undisputed master of his craft not only in performing French Baroque but really any Baroque piece for the viola da gamba. This soundtrack is a fine example on the diversity and depth of not only the viola's range but on works of various composers during the French Baroque period: especially the works of Marais and Sainte-Colombe. This album is also a great sample of the simply exemplary talent of Jordi Savall as a violist.

The double album primarily contains solos or duets for viola da gamba by Marais and Sainte-Colombe but has pieces by other contemporaries such as Lully. This album is a great sample of the variety of works and composers of the unique French Baroque tradition that continued to use the viola while other musical styles in Europe had virtually abandoned it for the cello. The viola da gamba has a lot more range, depth, and resonance than the cello and so the music is moodier and more contemplative than cello works such as Bach's magnificent cello suites. Solo music for viola from the French Baroque also allows freer interpretation than conventional compositions for orchestra or other chamber pieces. The jewel in this album is Marais' haunting but divine Sonnerie de Ste-Genevieve in which the dynamics of the violas and violins are truly a spiritual voyage into one's soul; at points serenely docile to demonically ferocious as if phantasms both luring and forbidding the listener to follow. The intricate complexity and resonance of this exquisite piece makes it one of the most spiritually moving Baroque sonet variations I have ever heard and it's one of my personal favorites. Both Marais and Sainte-Colombe were probably the pinnacle of achievement in terms of expressive techniques for the viola da gamba during the French Baroque period while later contemporaries such as Forqueray and Couperin became more formulaic although no less accomplished.

Jordi Savall has many priceless performances apart from this soundtrack and he is really the only competent artist for both viola da gamba specifically and primarily all French Baroque interpretations. There are no other viola players who can even compare to Savall as they really sound as little else than amateurs in comparison to his applied skills and passion of playing. I strongly recommend for anyone looking for music for viola da gamba or really any French Baroque to buy Savall/Le Concert Des Nations' performances exclusively as there's simply nothing else to look for or find that's in his caliber. Apart from a few other performnances by groups such as Les Arts Florissants, I guarantee you that the performances of all others in this style will rise to no further than being mediocre at best such as Harncourt or even Koopman who often plays with Savall. Most other viola performers quickly descend to atrocious standards in comparison to those of Savall. Even though Savall's recordings tend to be on the more expensive side, he's worth every penny take my word for it: you won't regret it! What you will regret is having bought a mediocre viola peformance after you hear Savall's as the differences will be very significant.

Average customer rating:

One of the best "La Folias"
Amazing variety and delight
A master's musical magic
a favorite

La Folia, 1490-1701

Manufacturer: Alia Vox Spain
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Altre Follie, 1500-1750
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ASIN: B000023YPG
Release Date: 1999-02-09

Tracks:

I. Folias Antiguas: Folia: Rodrigo Martinez
I. Folias Antiguas: Recercada Quarta Sobre La Folia
I. Folias Antiguas: Folia: Para Quien Crie Cabellos
I. Folias Antiguas: Recercada Ottava Sobre La Folia
I. Folias Antiguas: Folia: Hoy Comamos Y Bebamos
II. Diferencias Sobre Las Folias
III. Follias
IV. Couplets De Folies

Customer Reviews:

One of the best "La Folias".......2006-09-11

This CD contains a selection of Folia variations from Spain (mostly), Italy and France over a period of about 200 years. Savall and his ensemble are among the best -- their playing has a great richness to it. A very good anthology -- if you love "La Folia", you can't go wrong with this CD.

Amazing variety and delight.......2005-07-02

This collection contains dances and variations written on an old Spanish dance pattern. While the entire disc can be said to include only a handful of different harmonies, the endless sets of variations are anything but boring. Instead, they constitue a musical journey that takes you through three countries and over two hundred years of music-making.

The journey begins in Spain, around the time Columbus made his famous voyages. The first variations are filled with spirit and joy and are both wild in nature and yet refined and exquisite under Savall's fingertips. After a set of five wonderful pieces, there next comes a later Spanish piece for gamba, continuo, and...castanets! This piece concludes with a rousing col legno section that needs to be heard to be believed.

Next is a great rendition of Corelli's Follias, also known as his 12th violin sonata. The volin part is played in a period arrangement for gamba, and Savall uses the treble instead of the bass viol for the part, which sounds great and offers a good opportunity to comapre the treble viol to the violin. Under Savall's touch, the viol gives the violin a run for the money! Great fun.

Lastly, we have Marais' masterful Follias d'Espangne, and after hearing them performed like they are here, what more can be said? This CD would make a wonderful purchase for yourself or a friend, and would be a great way to introduce someone to early music. This disc is yet another reminder of why Jordi Savall, as the previous reviewer so well put it, deserves to be considered among the top musicians of our day. Alia Vox does a great job of presenting these discs in great packages and with wonderful sound quality. The days of second-rate period instrument performances are coming to a close.

A master's musical magic.......2004-12-29

Jordi Savall's special talent for reviving lost or obscure music is no better illustrated than by this album. The "Folia" are country dances, sometimes frenetic in their rendition, other times sedate and even-paced. The full range of those characteristics are presented in this collection of interpreters of the "folia" idiom. From Roderigo Martinez in the last years of the 15th Century to the Versailles Court musician Marin Marais two centuries later, Savall provides a glorious musical tour of time and place. He seems almost to transport himself away from the present as he plays. Time and space are compressed to an environment limited only by the music's expressiveness. With the roots in peasant dances, that's a wide space which Savall fills with delightful playing. The broad spectrum of styles in the pieces grant this CD an equally expansive audience.

Savall's group, whose renditions of these pieces can only be described as exquisite, is the core of later ensembles. Each member brings a strong sense of the professional to the music. Even given such a background team, it is Savall's rich, precise and meaningful use of the da gamba that rightly predominates. He is an undisputed master of evoking the fullest expression the instrument can produce. The music leaves the listener breathless even when but seated as an audience. What must it be like for a professional dance troupe to perform to these sometimes frantic tones? The entire performance is dazzling and inspiring. This CD could be considered the acme of his performances - a judgment tempered only by knowledge of later and even more glorious releases.

Alia Vox has taken the lead in producing the most superior of recording techniques for Savall's musical skills. Savall is more than just the leading viola da gambist in the world. He could be elevated to the finest musician without overreaching his abilities. The sounds are crisp and elevating. It's easy to see why "La Folia" is considered a "desert island" CD choice by many. Listen to it for yourself, with one you love, and endear yourself to someone by offering it as a gift. In all cases, the rewards are valuable. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]

a favorite.......2004-06-13

This compilation of Spanish-insprired dance music is often in the player. It's tuneful and accessible. A similar collection by the Purcell Quartet feels more stilted and less joyful.

Customer Reviews:

Dennis Brain is superb.......2005-10-03

My mother bought this CD for me because I play the French Horn. Listening to a legendary horn player like Dennis Brain is a wonderful experience. I rate this product so highly because of the fine quality of the songs on the CD. I highly recommend this product for any brass player.

As Good As It Gets!.......2004-11-15

This album and Brain's other recordings are a must for any French Horn player. His performance on this album is stunning.

The Best Recording of the Best Horn Player Ever Born.......2003-06-08

This CD is - Thank God! - a re-release of a BBC Records Recording from 1974 Titled simply, "Dennis Brain (1921-1957)". When I was a horn student in Highschool back in the 80's, my parents brought it back for me from Europe. I have been looking for this recording on CD ever since then because I completely wore the record out. It is absolutely the best horn playing you will EVER hear. I used to play the record at least ten times a day - it inspired me to practice four hours a day and to despair that I would never play half as well as this genius. It brought tears to my eyes to hear it again and to remember what it was like to fall in love with Horn music and to spend so many happy hours rejoicing in the sound this man made with this wonderful instrument. The music is completely miraculous. What a tremendous loss he was, God rest his soul.

Once again an unforgettable cd!.......2002-02-25

As with all of Brain's performances, satisfaction is guaranteed! Not to dwell on a point brought up by the other reviewers, but the Villanelle is exceptionally spectacular. Forget the fact that he missed the high C at the end, it only spotlights the fact that this was a live performance, and unedited as such. It also shows us that we are all human, and even a missed note does not detract from the glory of his musicianship and virtuosity! This album (like others) really captures the magnificence of Brain's musiciality, from his seemingly unplayable pianissimos to his flawless and perfectly clean articulations. Nothing will help you to appreciate horn music better than this cd (and the Mozart cd) and few others will have you running to the practice room quicker. A must buy for any horn student or anyone that just appreciates horn playing at its finest.

Horn's fans BUY this cd!.......2001-09-18

I think this should be an essential recording for all the horn's players or fans.
Here we have some of the most important and beautiful chamber music for horn (Beethoven, Mozart and Brahms) and one of the most exciting solo piece for horn (Dukas's Villanelle).
The star of the cd is (of course) Dennis Brain, who in my humble opinion IS the best horn player ever.
Since the legendary recording of Mozart's concerti (that every serious horn's fan should own) you can hear how the technique and the musicianship in Dennis's playing are both wonderful.
Here we have something more to prove this (if it was necessary...)
The Villanelle is outstanding, as said. The finale is rushed so fast that is almost unbelievable. The only little complaint (?) is that if I remember, he first bars are written for "hand-horn" that means to be played without using the valves but using instead the right hand in the horn's bell to perform the notes that are otherwise not possible to obtain using the lips only.
Here it seems not to be the case, but as I said it's a very little remark.
But the piece I like the most is the Mozart's quintet, that is the most difficult and virtuoso piece for horn written by the great composer. Especially in the last movement the horn has to compete in technique and articulation with the first violin, but never forgetting the elegance and grace characteristics of Mozart's music.
The second movement is, for this point of view, exemplary; each phrase is played with extraordinary musicianship and beauty.
The Beethoven quintet is maybe better here than in the other recording with Walter Gieseking and the Philarmonia winds (another essential cd for Dennis's fans) and the Brahms's trio (a wonderful piece of music) shows as Dennis was perfectly suited even with a romantic piece like this (he was somehow "accused" to be without nerves...).
In conclusion, I think that after purchasing the Mozart's concerti, this should be your next horn's cd.

Average customer rating:

Savall family extravaganza

Du temps & de l'instant

Manufacturer: Alia Vox Spain
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Lux Feminae
Orient - Occident
Ninna Nanna: Lullabies (1500-2002)
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Harmonie Universelle

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Release Date: 2005-09-13

Tracks:

Cantiga De Amigo V: Quantas Sabedes Amare
Nastaran
Noumui, Noumi Yaladatii
Variations Sur O Sonjal
La Canco Del Lladre
Romanesca & Pasamezzo
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Paxarico Tu Te Llamas
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Durme, Hermosa Donzella
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Jaroslaw
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Fantasiant
Muzettes I-II (IV.28.29)
El Cant Dels Aucells
Diferencias Sobre La Guaracha
Sentirete Una Canzonetta

Customer Reviews:

Savall family extravaganza.......2006-01-27

Jordi Savall and Montserrat Figueras are the two giants in the Catalan early music scene. On this album they enlist the help of percussionist Pedro Estevan and their two children to produce some truly exceptional music. Jordi Savall, the most famous family member, almost fades into the background, although he is obviously the rock that anchors the album. His playing is superb, and it seems as though it was most likely him who chose the excellent repertoire. Figueras, like wine, is only improving with age. Also like wine, however, she's a bit of an acquired taste; I am a huge fan of straight tone singing and even I took a while to get used to her bizarre, raw sound. It's worth it, however, as she is one of the most intriguing singers of this era.

Daughter Arianna is a world-class artist in her own right. Like her father, she is multi-talented; she sings, plays the harp, and composes (her contribution to this album, "La Salve," is beautiful and affecting, but some of the selections on her own solo album "Bella Terra" are far superior). Like her mother, her voice is haunting and beautiful, more polished than the elder woman but slightly less interesting. She sounds particularly lovely in the background of the first track. Ferran Savall also lends his voice to the album, although his singing is far less classical sounding, which may be a plus to some listeners. "Noumi, Noumi, Yaladatii," which Figueras has previously recorded as a solo, includes a vocalise from Ferran astonishing in its power, although his one solo on this album, "La Canco Del Lladre," is the least impressive track, as his voice can be irritating after a while and the song itself is repetitive and overlong.

The instrumental tracks are universally excellent. Jordi Savall is one of the world's best viola da gamba players and this album proves that he is still at the top of his game. Arianna's virtuosic harp solo is one of the album's highlights; her playing is less restrained and more visceral than most harpists. Pedro Estevan seems to have very little to do, but a little goes a long way with this music.

I sincerely hope that this will not be the last album to feature the Savall-Figueras family together. These five musicians have produced an album of surreal beauty, not to be missed.

Marin Marais: Pièces de Viole du Second Livre, 1701

Average customer rating:

Fantastic recording !!!

Marin Marais: Pièces de Viole du Second Livre, 1701

Manufacturer: Alia Vox Spain
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Tous Les Matins du Monde/Dix Ans Apres
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Marin Marais · Sainte-Colombe ~ The Greatest Masterworks / Spectre de la Rose

ASIN: B00009OOIA
Release Date: 2003-11-11

Customer Reviews:

Fantastic recording !!!.......2005-02-06

This is an amazing recording of the second book. The interpretation is outstanding since the very first prelude. You just need to hear the first few seconds to be convinced. The rest is just incredible, beyond words. Highly recommended.

Pachelbel Canon and other Baroque Favorites

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James Galway plays baroque music's greatest hits for flute.

Pachelbel Canon and other Baroque Favorites
Johann Pachelbel , George Frideric Handel , Antonio Vivaldi , Georg Philipp Telemann , Johann Sebastian Bach , Tomaso Giovanni Albinoni , Johann Joachim Quantz , Marin Marais , James Galway , John Georgiadis , Charles Gerhardt , Jorg Faeber , Malcolm Proud , Sarah Cunningham , Phillip Moll , John Birch , Sarah Cunnigham , Kyung-Wha Chung , Moray Welsh , and Maria Graf
Manufacturer: RCA
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Bach: Flute Sonatas
James Galway - Serenade
The Classical James Galway
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Music For My Friends

ASIN: B000003FMF
Release Date: 1994-03-15

Tracks:

Concerto, Op.10, No.3, in D: I. Allegro
Suite for Flute and Strings in A Minor:: V. Rejouissance
Cannon
Sonata, Op.1, No.4, in A Minor: IV. Allegro
Suite No.3, BWV 1068, in D: II. Air on the G string
Solomon: Arrival of the Queen of Sheba
Adagio
Concerto In C: III. Presto
Sonata, Op.1, No.11, in F: III. Siciliana
Sonata, Op.1, No.11, in F: IV. Allegro
Suite No.2, BWV 1067, in B Minor: VI. Menuet
Suite No.2, BWV 1067, in B Minor: VII. Badinerie
Messiah: Pastorial Symphony
Trio Sonata No.2, BWV 1039, in G: IV. Allegro moderato
Concerto, Op.10, No.3, in D: II. Cantabile
Sonata No.4, BWV 1033, in C: II. Allegro
Xerxes - Serse: Largo
Le basque
Sonata No.2, BWV 1031 in E-Flat: II. Siciliano
Suite for Flute and Strings in A Minor:: VII. Polonaise
Concerto, BWV 1059 - BWV 35, in E Minor: III. Presto
The Four Seasons: 'Spring': Allegro

Customer Reviews:

James Galway plays baroque music's greatest hits for flute........1999-05-31

Flute players and flute lovers everywhere will enjoy this collection of Galway recordings from the Baroque era. Besides the title cut, selections from the Telemann "Suite in a minor" will be appreciated by flute teachers and performers, as well as other works transcribed for flute. The Albnioni "Adagio" is particularly haunting and could be a new addition to the repertoire. Handel's "Queen of Sheba" is also nicely done. A good recording to have on hand for those performers wishing to "demonstrate" various works for perspective clients as well.

Marin Marais: Pièces de viole du troisième Livre

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Marin Marais: Pièces de viole du troisième Livre

Manufacturer: Astree
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Marin Marais: Suitte d'un Goût Etranger [Hybrid SACD]

ASIN: B0006U6QFC
Release Date: 2000-10-24

Average customer rating:

Danger, danger - too tempting..!
Music of angels

Harmonie Universelle
Anonymous , Sephardic Traditional , Cancionero de Montecassino , Clement Woodcock , Mallorcan Anonymous , Josquin Desprez , Antony Holborne , Jose Marin , Marin Marais , Nicolo Fontei , Johann Sebastian Bach , Juan Bautista Jose Cabanilles , Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber , Jean-Baptiste Lully , Jordi Savall , Montserrat Figueras , Pedro Estevan , Adela Gonzalez-Campa , Rolf Lislevand , and Ton Koopman
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Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00005AU4N
Release Date: 2001-04-10

Customer Reviews:

Danger, danger - too tempting..!.......2006-08-08

No, it's not a bad review.. But don't buy this disc unless you want to get sucked in to a wonderful world of new musical experiences.

It's a clever 'taster' disc that contains some wonderful, intriguing and diverse muscial pieces by jordi and his various ensembles, one or two tracks each from various discs he has made for his label Alia vox. There are the sombre viol pieces, the 'swinging' ensemble tunes, then the haunting pieces by Figuerras (- for me the Sephardic ones especially).

At first I had my few favorites, then I realised that I was beginning to like everything on the disc, then I was in love with some of the pieces because the sound was so delicious and foreign and exciting, and I had to hear more..

At first I wondered why this was such a cheap disc, but it wasn't really cheap - I have now bought eight other savall discs, all because of this one, and no, I haven't been disappointed.

You have been warned.

Music of angels.......2003-12-04

This disc features a variety of players or groups and individuals, including several of my favorites within this genre(time period music) such as Jordi Savall, Hesperion XX and Montserrat Figueras. The music was recorded between 1998-2001. Being relatively uninformed I can testify to the beauty of the timeless music from the ordinary perspective of an outsider to this type of music. My knowledge base is ziltch for time period music but I do know what I like and the music sends my spirit soaring. This is joyful, tranquil music that transcends musical timelines and boundaries infecting the listener with a feeling of peace. Some of the music is written by annoymous authors, much like the beautiful pieces of art you might see in a museum with only the tag of artist unknown, while some is written, in contrast, by well known composers like J.S. Bach. The music has a religious quality, very much like music performed on sacred days in ancient times. One particular song that has the qualities just mentioned is "Alfons V El Magnanim" that is performed twice(as nice) in succession in a slightly different manner. The second version features the lovely voice of Montserrat Figueras and all I can say is, it is exquisite. Her voice is featured on many of the songs and it is as though you are in cathedral and an angel has entered to take you on its wings. Some of the music was written as far back as the 1400's and you can only wonder how many souls this music has touched throughout the ages in one form or another. La Capella Reial De Catalunya further accentuates and compliments the textures by lending their collective voices to the lead vocals of Figueras. There are a variety of pieces or styles offered on this disc including some " Elizabethan Consort Music," a lovely piece by Le Consort Des Nations entitled "L'Orchestre Du Roi Soleil" and some music for the season. The soft, soothing qualities prevail throughtout the disc regardless of who is performing. The musical instruments are played enthusiastically, at times underemphasized but with an exuberance for the time period. If you are in the mood for some quiet music to fill you with joy than give this bargain disc a listen. The booklet is thick with a bilingual offering in English and French quotes but features very little information about the music featured on this particular disc. Instead the booklet is an offering of color photgraphs of the players in performance, including a beautiful portrait of husband and wife team Jordi Savall and Monsterrat Figueras as they are working together. By far the vast majority of the booklet is thirteen pages dedicated to other discs released by the featured performers and the instruments thay play such as harp, viola, lire, luth etc. Recommended music that reflects the season that has universal appeal and longevity. Running time is 78:37.

CANTEMIR : Music in Istanbul and Ottoman Europe around 1700

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Cantemir, Great Sultan, Louis XIV and Peter the Great
Worth exploring, but...
Excellent

CANTEMIR : Music in Istanbul and Ottoman Europe around 1700

Manufacturer: Golden Horn Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B0001CVE8E
Release Date: 2004-01-30

Tracks:

Syrba - Moldavian Dance
Syrba - Moldavian Dance
Beraber Taksim - Collective Improvisation
Zhok de Nante - Moldavian Dance
Ostropesul - Moldavian Dance
Syrba with Taksim - Moldavian Dance
Bestenigar Taksim - Improvisation
Pesrev in makam Bestenigar - Dimitrie Cantemir
Tanbur Taksimi - Improvisation (tanbur solo)
Saz Semaisi in makam Neva / usul aksak semai (10/8) - Dimitrie Cantemir
Saz Semaisi in makam Rast / usul aksak semai - Dimitrie Cantemir
Syrbas - Moldavian Dances
KemenTaksimi - Improvisation (kemensolo)
In Honor of Prince Kantemir - Lou Harrison
Beraber Taksim - Collective Improvisation
Andante (from Concertino per Kemance, Violino Picolo 5 Instruments, 'In Honor of Kantemiro, 2000) - Yalcin Tura
A Turkish Air (Travels and Observations, 1738) Thomas Shaw (1694-1751)
Marche a la Turque (Pis de viole, Book V, 1725) Marin Marais (1656 - 1728)
Marche pour la cmonie des Turcs (Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme, 1670) J-B. Lully (1632 - 1687)
The Turks' dance (Augurs, 1622) Ben Jonson (1572/3 - 1637)
New metar (The Dancing Master, 1665) John Playford (1623 - 1686)
Rast Taksim - Collective Improvisation
Pesrev in makam Rast / usul berefsan (16/8) Dimitrie Cantemir
Zhok de Nante - Moldavian Dance
Penh Taksim - Improvisation (kemensolo)
Saz semaisi in makam Penh / usul aksak semai (10/8) - yemai (6/8) - Bulgariaska (Floria 16) - yemai (6/8) - aksak semai (10/8) Dimitrie Cantemir and Moldavian Dance
H Taksim - Collective Improvisation (kemen baroque flute)
Pesrev in makam H - Dimitrie Cantemir
Buselik Taksim - Collective Improvisation
Pesrev in makam Buselik / usul devr-i-revan (14/16) Dimitrie Cantemir

Album Description

CANTEMIR honors the amazingly rich life of Prince Dimitrie Cantemir (Kantemiroglu, 1673-1723), born in Moldavia (now Romania) but educated in Istanbul, becoming during his many years at the heart of Ottoman culture a master musician, composer, linguist, and lexicographer. Sent home eventually to rule Moldavia as the representative of the Ottoman Empire, Cantemir betrayed the Sultan by attempting unsuccessfully with the aid of Tsar Peter the Great to liberate his people. In defeat, he fled with his court into exile in Russia.

Featured on the disc is Ihsan Ozgen, Linda Burman-Hall and the ensemble Lux Musica, in compositions in Ottoman classical style by Prince Cantemir, first recordings of new music honoring Kantemiroglu by Lou Harrison and Yalcin Tura, traditional and experimental improvisations, and Moldavian dance music. Ihsan Ozgen plays kemence (Turkish fiddle) and tanbur (Turkish lute). Linda Burman-Hall is playing early keyboards and bendir (frame drum).

Customer Reviews:

Cantemir, Great Sultan, Louis XIV and Peter the Great.......2006-07-30

Firstly, I want to thank Lux Musica and Ihsan Ozgen for recording such a beautiful exquisite album.
Moldavian prince Dmitrie Cantemir stood on cross-roads between the West, Russia and the Orient on the turning point of history - end of the 17th - beginning of 18th centuries. Philosopher, musician and musicologist, orientalist and politician - charismatic and interesting person.
Ihsan Ozgen and Lux Musica decided not to re-create authentic Turkish folk sound of Kantemir`s music, but to incorporate fantastic sound of Turkish string instrument kemence, which reminds crying human voice, and other Turkish instruments into the European ensemble Lux Musica (flute, violin, viola, lute, early guitar, percussion, harpsichord, virginal). Idea is to present the music by Kantemir as synthesis of European and Oriental cultural traditions, to imagine real concerts of his daughter Maria (who played harpsichord) in the court of Peter the Great in Russia, and to describe the cultural context of Kantemir`s music.
You would hear music by Kantemir himself, European "Turkish" style melodies of the 17th century by Lully (melody for famous play by Moliere "Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme"), Marin Marais, Ben Johnson, Moldavian folk dances - so this programme wouldn`t be boring for you. I don`t agree with the previous reviewer - to listen to whole CD of authentic Turkish material - it`s a real hard work for European, Russian or American lover of classical music. That`s why I think that Ihsan Ozgen and Lux Musica were right.
So listen to this beautiful music and read a good novels by modern writers devoted to problems of relationships between Orient and Occident - try works by Amin Maalouf, Orhan Pamuk, Milorad Pavic.

Very beautiful album!

P.S. Addition to the text in the booklet. There stated that "Kantemir betrayed Sultan". Let`s be objective - history was more sophisticated. Don`t forget that Kantemir lived in Istanbul as the hostage to guarantee the loyalty of his native Moldavia to the Ottoman Empire. As he wrote in his memoirs, when he was selected by the Sultan to be a ruler of Moldavia, he was informed that he should make a "gift" to the Court - to pay a sum of money. And the sum of this "gift" was very high. Kantemir understood that he should raise the taxes in Moldavia to collect this money. So the choice was - to betray Sultan or to betray his native people. Ruler of Vallachia (modern Romania) sent a letter to Kantemir and invited him to join the revolt of the Orthodox Christians against the Ottoman rule. They secretly asked Tzar Peter the Great to help them. But when the Russian troops started their expedition, Vallachian ruler, who provoked Kantemir, informed Sultan about this revolt and of course rejected to participate in it. So Kantemir in 1711 had no other choice than to join Russian troops and after the unglorious end of this expedition (there were no any revolt) - Kantemir with his family fled to Russia. His life was saved by Peter the Great, because Ottoman powers demanded to return Kantemir to them (of course he would be killed) as condition of peace treaty with Russia.
His son Antoich became Russian poet and diplomate. In Paris he was close to writers and poets of the French Enlightenment.

Worth exploring, but..........2004-08-07

If you're coming to this out of curiosity, rather than as an Ottoman music fan, you may be more pleased with this disk than I was.

The best compositions here are those of Cantemir, the master himself. The folk dances are interesting, but they aren't on the same level of refinement. Cantemir was at the peak of a learned tradition. The juxtaposition with folk material might be justified if Cantemir had drawn on it for his compositions, but that's not the case; we're simply told that the peasants back near Cantemir's home in what is now Romania were playing these dances while Cantemir was off in Constantinople playing his stuff for the sultan. And the point is...? I would have preferred a disk purely of Cantemir pieces.

The music is well played, but I'm not totally sold on the mixture of eastern and western instruments. Obviously, it isn't authentic, but that isn't the problem; sometimes the mixture of instruments just doesn't work. One glowing exception is the neva saz semai, where the tanbur and harpsichord blend quite nicely.

Don't get me wrong; it's worth a listen. But if you already know the Ottoman classical tradition and some of Cantemir's works, be sure you know that you're getting an experimental "fusion" disk, not something traditional.

Excellent.......2004-03-27

This CD finally opens the long forgotten bridge to the early Ottoman music. Although in recent albums (for example, in "Dream of the Orient" by Concerto Koln and Sarband) there are some fine examples of Cantemir's work, this single album is fully dedicated to him.

The examples are carefully chosen to present early Ottoman and Cantemir's own music. The addition of the music from the composers of the West (some are recent, in honor of Cantemir), showing the influence of the Turkish music, is very nice and complementary.

Cantemir, as might be known, is the first musician/traveler/diplomat (and later a trouble maker) from Romania, who recorded the Ottoman music while he was living in the Ottoman lands for near twenty years.

Followed by composers such as Fux, Mozart, J. and M. Haydn brothers, Beethoven, Gluck, Rossini and many others, the Turkish music, its musical instruments (drums, cymbals and triangle, etc.) and themes became the most influential regional effect on the Western classical music for a few centuries.

Tracks:

Prld in d
Allemande BWV 1011 in d
Aria Burlesca in d
La Cloche - Saraband in F
La Cloche - Saraband in F
Prld in d
Les Voix Humaines in D
La Du Vaucel
Vivace
Harke, Harke in g
Plainte in C
Menuet I, Gigue BWV 1007 in C
Menuet II, Gigue BWV 1007 in c
Good Againe in G
Prld in e
Sarabande A L'Espangnol in e
The Lancashire Pipes in E
Fant En Rondeau in g
Sarabande-Double BWV 1002 in g
Sarabande-Double BWV 1002 in g
Bourree BWV 1010 in G

Amazon.com essential recording

The sound of the cello is often compared to the human voice but, as Jordi Savall proves on the riveting Les Voix Humaines, perhaps that analogy is better suited for another instrument, the viola da gamba. Switching between two viols (one dating from 1550, the other 1697), Savall makes solo Baroque works by Bach, Marin Marais, and Sainte-Colombe literally sing. As the gambist-conductor explains in the liner notes, a debate hit the music world in the 17th century that pitted melodic playing versus harmony. Though no conclusions were agreed upon, it's fascinating to hear the diverse styles--Italian versus French, melodic versus harmonic, etc.--that Savall presents us. His playing is soulful and thoughtful, never rushed, and the recorded sound intimate and precise. One of Savall's best discs (no small feat!) and a must-have for early-music lovers. --Jason Verlinde

Customer Reviews:

Jordi Savall is God.......2005-03-17

It's been said before, but it deserves to be said again.

Viola da Gamba at its best.......2003-04-14

Jordi Savall is a player of rare sensitivity and virtuosity. This CD of solo works for the viola da gamba is an encylopedia of gamba styles and a treasure chest of baroque compositions. From start to finish this CD is riveting, the beauty of his playing and the compositions is awe inspiring. The recording is excellent and the liner notes are informative. Savall's playing of Maris is heartrending, and his interpretation of movements from the Bach cello suites is revelatory. This CD is a great introduction to the viola da gamba as well as a treasure trove for any gamba fan.

The true "human voice" of the baroque.......2000-10-19

As always in J.Savall, the reconstruction of the baroque sounds & spirit is perfect. This time the music really succeds in filling the XXI century listener with the tortured spirit of the XVI century. A last recomendation, it is a record to be listened to in the dark.

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