Chemin Discantus

Johannes Ockeghem (c. 1410-1497) stands as perhaps the greatest of the Franco-Flemish composers of the 15th century. Digitally recorded in 1992, this disc presents a world-premiere release of his two surviving 3-voice masses; Missa Sine Nomine and Missa Quinti Toni. They are presumably early works by the composer and are among his most masterful creations. Complete program notes on the works and general issues of performance practice, along with the mass texts and translations, are enclosed. Produced by Gerald Gold.

Ensemble Discantus - Santa Maria: Songs to the Virgin in 13th Century Spain (2016) {Bayard Musique 308 489.2}
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© 2016 Bayard Musique / Harmonia Mundi | 308 489.2
Classical / Early Music / Medieval / Choral

A program that gives pride to the famous collection of Cantigas de Santa Maria, Galician songs recounting legends and miracles of the Virgin, alternating with Marian songs of the troubadours Guiraut Riquier and Folquet Lunel (longtime present at the Alfonso X king's court) and polyphonies from the exquisite codex Las Huelgas.

One is struck by the overwhelming majority of pieces in honour of the Virgin Mary in the extant sources of the School of Notre-Dame. Indeed, the rich and many-faceted devotion to Our Lady, which characterized the Middle Ages and reached its peak in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, was itself paralleled by the secular devotion to the ideal Lady of chivalry sung by troubadour and trouvere alike.

In 1837 Alkan published a series of twelve pieces, Trois études de bravoure or Improvisations, Op. 12, Trois andantes romantiques, Op. 13, Trois morceaux dans le genre pathétique, Op. 15 and Trois études de bravoure (Scherzi), Op.16. These twelve piano pieces were issued in four volumes under the general title Douze Caprices. The studies that form the first volume had the earlier title Improvisations dans le style brillant, aptly descriptive. The first of the three, with its leaping octaves and sudden modulations, opens the door to a new world, technically and musically. It is followed by a D flat major Allegretto, initially a gentle contrast, although it increases in intensity, before the wistful ending over a sustained pedal-point.

Pour son 3ème album, le chemin de la maison, Emma Daumas a choisi d'écrire son histoire et de s'impliquer comme jamais. En plus de s'être remise à l'écriture et la composition pour préparer les 12 titres de ce nouvel opus, Emma s'est entourée d'intervenants de qualité : Marcel Kanche (auteur pour Bashung, M, Vanessa Paradis) qui lui a écrit la ballade douce amère "Neverland", Peter Von Poehl (ex-guitariste d'AS Dragon et producteur du dernier Vincent Delerm) pour la composition de "Lipstick et Rimmel" ou encore Mickaël Furnon (leader de Mickey 3D devenu Mick est tout seul) : au-delà de l'écriture, ce fût une vraie rencontre entre les deux artistes.

Various Artists - La Polyphonie Flamande - The Flemish Polyphony (2011) {8CD Set Ricercar RIC 102}
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© 2011 Outhere / Ricercar | RIC 102
Classical / Early Music / Polyphony / Medieval / Choral / Renaissance / Sacred Works

The composers known collectively as the Fiamminghi made their mark in Europe in general and in Italy and in France in particular during the 15th century. Their talent and skill gained them the most important positions in the great musical establishments of the time. This collection is devoted to the leading composers of the 15th century, from those of the first generation (Guillaume Dufay, Gilles Binchois, Arnold de Lantins and Johannes Brassart) through Johannes Ockeghem, the great master of polyphonic technique, to Josquin Desprez and Pierre de La Rue, two musicians taught by Ockeghem who laid the foundations of the Ars Perfecta during the Renaissance. Also included is Jacob Obrecht, the only composer of this school whose career was based essentially in his native Flanders. Every genre of both sacred as well as secular music of the time is represented here.

Marcel Dupre - Organ Works, Volume 3 - Ben van Oosten (2002) {MDG 316 0953-2}
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© 2002 MDG | MDG 316 0953-2
Classical / 20th Century / Organ

Ben van Oosten is a gifted organist; of that there is no doubt. He understands the art of registration deeply, and is especially adept with the Cavaille-Coll tradition. This recording was the basis for my own study of Le Chemin de la Croix, and I profited considerably from it.