Renaissance

The first album by the '70s (i.e. Annie Haslam) version of Renaissance is a transitional work, rooted in more standard hard rock sounds (including psychedelia) than what followed. One can spot the difference, which may please some listeners and put others off, in the fairly heavy guitar sound of "Prologue," Rob Hendry's electric instrument playing both lead and rhythm parts prominently at various times behind Annie Haslam's soaring vocals and adjacent to John Tout's piano. "Kiev" may also startle some longtime fans, since Haslam doesn't handle the lead vocals, the male members' singing being much more prominent. The ethereal, flowingly lyrical "Sounds of the Sea" is the cut here that most resembles the music that the group became known for in the years ahead, and shows Haslam singing in the high register for which she would become famous.

Jordi Savall & Hespèrion XX - Moyen Âge & Renaissance - Middle ages & renaissance (1997) {Fontalis Auvidis ES 9904}
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© 1997 Fontalis / Auvidis France | ES 9904
Classical / Medieval / Renaissance

This disc consists of 22 landmark selections from Hesperion XX's various programs of music of the 12th to 14th centuries. Notable composers represented: Alfonso X El Sabio, Guillame Dufay, Eustache Du Caurroy, Orlando Lasso, Francisco Guerrero, Christopher Tye and Cristobal De Morales; several anonymous works included also.

Here's a wonderful live set from the current incarnation of Renaissance, that lovely '70s prog band who so successfully merged classical with symphonic rock and medieval themes. Recorded at The Keswick Theatre in Glenside, Pennsylvania on September 23rd, 2011, the band thrilled the audience with a performance of both their classic albums, Turn of the Cards and Sheherazade and Other Stories in their entirety. Joining the 'classic line-up' members Annie Haslam and Michael Dunford are keyboard players Rave Cesar & Jason Hart, bassist David Keyes, and drummer Frank Pagano. If you got a chance to see Renaissance on either the 2011 tour or previously in 2009, you know that this line-up is red hot and does their vintage material justice.

Esoteric Antenna is pleased to announce the release of 50th Anniversary: Ashes Are Burning - An Anthology Live in Concert. To celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the formation of Renaissance, vocalist Annie Haslam and band performed a series of concerts with an orchestra in the USA in October 2019 featuring a set list which included songs which had never been orchestrated or performed with an orchestra before. The most memorable concert took place at the Keswick Theater in Glenside, PA on 12th October 2019. This sold-out concert saw the band perform a set which included such classics as Carpet Of The Sun, Ocean Gypsy, Running Hard, Day Of The Dreamer and A Song For All Seasons and also saw a special guest appearance by Renaissance founder Jim McCarty who performed on the song Island and the epic closing piece Ashes Are Burning. It was a truly magical evening.

In the middle of the 16th century, the Geneva Psalter infected the whole of Reformed Europe – Switzerland included – with a true psalm fever. The first complete collection of all 150 psalms, promoted by the Genevan reformer Jean Calvin, was published in 1562. The psalm verses were translated into French and provided with melodies by various Genevan cantors.

This is the first Renaissance album: the singer is Jane Relf, not Annie Haslam. A completely different bunch of musicians, compared to the Renaissance of the 70's. Jane Relf's vocals are not really always in the foreground: other musicians also sing on this album. Considering the year (1969), the sound is very progressive and ambitions, comparing to the other major progressive bands such as Genesis and Yes, that are starting and doing a proto progressive sound. Although the line-up is completely different from the classic Renaissance albums, this is as good as the others.

Following The Sixteen’s hugely successful album, ‘Song of the Nativity’, which featured Christmas music from the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries, this new seasonal offering explores a stunning selection of festive works from the Renaissance. The Sixteen captures the joy and sincerity of this most wonderful of seasons, from the joyous simplicity of plainsong chants Resonemus laudibus and Veni, veni Emmanuel to the shining purity of Lassus’ polyphonic Videntes stellam Magi and Byrd’s jubilant This day Christ was born. This album provides a perfect alternative to traditional carols for those looking for something a little different at Christmas.

Yet another Christmas release features the Christmas vocal polyphony of Cristobal de Morales, who is regarded as the first significant Spanish composer of the Renaissance. Like most compositions for this Christian feast, his Christmas motets circulated and were performed throughout Europe, traveling far beyond Spain's borders. His archaic, mystical and expressive musical language, that one almost might term place-less and timeless, must have played a role in this dissemination. Moreover, Morales was active not only in Spanish cathedrals but also spent many years of his creative career as a papal singer in the Sistine Chapel in Rome.

Esoteric Recordings is pleased to announce the release of a newly re-mastered and expanded 3CD clamshell box edition of the classic album, “Novella” by RENAISSANCE. Recorded in late 1976, the album featured the epic ‘Can You Hear Me?’ along with the classic tracks ‘Midas Man’, ‘ Touching Once (Is So Hard to Keep)’ and ‘The Sisters’.

Various Artists - Early Music: From Ancient Times To The Renaissance (2010) {10CD Set Harmonia Mundi HMX 2918163 72}
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© 2005, 2010 Harmonia Mundi | HMX 2918163 72
Classical / Medieval / Renaissance / Chamber Music / Early Music

Originally issued in the Century series in 2005, this EARLYMUSIC set by the artists of harmonia mundi now returns to invite you to travel the centuries in music. In 10 CDs and more than 12 hours listening, this unique guide will allow you to (re)discover the music of the past and develop your musical knowledge. Each CD is accompanied by a detailed booklet dealing with the musical, historical and geographical context, closely linked with key elements from the visual arts of the appropriate period. From the ancient world to 1600: the pleasure of discovery is complete, for eyes and ears alike!