Monodies
Music from twelfth- and thirteenth-century Spain and southern France. The programme centres on Martin Codax’s sea-haunted Cantigas de amigo, with songs by the troubadour Marcabru and anonymous fourteenth-century istanpittas.
Hartley Newnham voice, percussion
Ruth Wilkinson recorder, vielle, tenor viol
Ros Bandt recorder, flute, psaltery, rebec, percussion
John Griffiths lute, guitarra morisca
The major work is Codax’s Siete Cantigas de Amigo: seven songs set in Vigo on Spain’s west coast, in which a woman waits beside the sea for her lover. Around that cycle sit four songs by Marcabru and three anonymous instrumental dances.
La Romanesca brings together four leading Australian early-music players: Hartley Newnham (countertenor, percussion), Ruth Wilkinson (vielle, recorder), Ros Bandt (recorders, flute, psaltery, percussion) and John Griffiths (lute, guitarra morisca).
This expanded edition of the 1982 Medieval Monodies adds new instrumental istanpittas and further Marcabru songs to Codax’s sea-haunted cycle.
The poet-musicians Marcabru and Martin Codax occupy important places in the history of medieval secular song. Marcabru is the earliest southern French troubadour whose music survives, and Martin Codax’s songs are the oldest relics of Iberian secular music. More than a thousand kilometres and perhaps a hundred years separate them, yet their works are branches of the same tree. Each poet is an articulate observer of his own world, a commentator on social values, and a deft painter of human character and emotion.
Reviews
A well-balanced recording of rare and unusual music.
The reconstructions of this music are truly haunting and sound right - the ultimate test
Artist
La Romanesca
A leading force in early music in Australia since 1978, La Romanesca has developed a special interest in the performance of mediaeval monophonic and polyphonic song, although the group's repertory spans the twelfth to seventeenth centuries.
Audio preview
Tracks
- Istanpitta Ghaetta (Anonymous) 8:58
- Lo vers comenssa Marcabru 6:48
- Lo vers comens can vei del fau Marcabru 5:19
- Saltarello (Anonymous) 4:20
- L'autrier jost' una sebissa Marcabru 5:08
- Bel m'es quant son li fruit madur Marcabru 9:19
- Istanpitta Palamento (Anonymous) 7:45
- Ondas do mar de Vigo 4:28
- Mandad' ei comigo 3:58
- Miña irmana fremosa iredes comigo 3:15
- Ay Deus, se sab' ora o meu amigo 3:30
- Quantas sabedes amar amigo 2:02
- Eno sagrado Vigo 3:07
- Ay ondas que eu vin ver 2:11
Cantigas de amigo Martin Codax
Performers
- La Romanesca
- Hartley Newnham · voice, percussion
- Ruth Wilkinson · recorder, vielle, tenor viol
- Ros Bandt · recorder, flute, psaltery, rebec, percussion
- John Griffiths · lute, guitarra morisca
Composers
Where to listen
Monodies is available for streaming through Apple Music. It can also be purchased through the iTunes Music Store.
Monodies is available as a CD. It can be purchased online through Buywell Music or the Australian Music Centre which both offer online ordering.
Product details
- Catalogue number
- MD 3044
- List price
- $25.00 AUD
- Total playing time
- 70 minutes 8 seconds
- Recording Engineer
- Andrew Earle
Martin Wright
Vaughan McAlley - Venue
- Move Records Studio (tracks 1–4 and 7)
Ormond College Chapel (tracks 5, 6, 8–14) - Release date
- 2005
- Musical work
copyright - © 1982 Move Records
- Sound recording
copyright - ℗ 1982, 2005 Move Records
- Categories
- Early music, Vocal
- Genres
- Early Music, Vocal & Opera
- Barcode
- EAN 9314574304428
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