17th Century

The circulation of artists and sovereigns between France and England in the seventeenth century resulted in the establishment of highly original genres in the latter country: the first recitatives, large-scale airs from masques and dramatic ‘scenes' provided fertile ground for experimentation and prepared the way for the birth of semi-opera. Sébastien Daucé explores this English vocal art in a programme tailor-made for one of today's most fascinating voices: Lucile Richardot, in the exquisite setting provided by Correspondances, subtly blends music, love, night and melancholy.”

Jordi Savall & Hesperion XX - Ensaladas, 15th-17th Century (1987) {Astrée-Auvidis E 7742}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 252 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 122 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 50 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1987 Astrée / Auvidis | E 7742
Classical / Renaissance / Vocal Music

The Ensalada (musical salad) is a poetical work which combines lines in different languages, as well as instrumental sonatas. It is rooted in the medieval practice of singing different texts simultaneously, and incorporates well-known romances and madrigalist elements. Generally based on stories from Christ birth, ensaladas a big portrait, a la Janequin, occupying a midway position between art and folk music.

Jana Lewitová & Rudolf Měřinský - Lute Songs in 16th and 17th century Europe (1991) {ARTA Records F 1 0017-2211}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 179 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 133 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (png) -> 126 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1991 ARTA Records | F 1 0017-2211
Classical / Renaissance / Early Music / Vocals / Lute

We shall probably never know when it was that a human voice first joined a musical instrument in song. Classical antiquity was familiar with the combination, and though we may feel that the divine Apollo with his golden lyre is not convincing evidence, the poets who accompanied their lyrics with a lyre or kithara in Olympic contests are historically attested. The biblical David with his harp, singing to allay the wrath of King Saul, became the symbol of the human and the divine principles in art. From time immemorial the human voice, a gift from above – from God, Nature or the Fates – accompanied by a musical instrument devised by man (perhaps to feel himself closer to the Creator), has given expression to the inexpressible – the very essence of music.

Tromba Hispanica: 17th-Century music for the Spanish Court Trumpets - Barocktrompeten Ensemble Berlin (2011) {Raumklang RK2906}
XLD rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 325 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 158 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 34 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 2011 Raumklang | RK 2906
Classical / Renaissance / Baroque / Trumpet

At the beginning of the 16th century a mighty axis was formed in Europe: the Spanish royal house joined with the Habsburg Empire, to which belonged also the nothern parts of Italy. These ties were a reason for numerous travels undertaken by envoys, diplomats and also rulers, who usually – as an important element of representation – were accompanied by ensembles of trumpeters. A huge ensemble of the Viennese court ca 1600 consisted of 30 trumpet and timpani players. Its Spanish counterparts were two slightly smaller ensembles: first, established before joining Isabela and Ferdinand courts, and the other one: a newly-founded ensemble of the Italian trumpet players.