Chr Margolis

Norbert Rodenkirchen - Hameln Anno 1284 (2012) {Christophorus CHR 77359}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 330 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 140 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 19 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 2012 Christophorus / note 1 music | CHR 77359
Classical / Early Music / Medieval / 13th century / Medieval Flute

I recently heard Norbert Rodenkirchen perform at Tanglewood in the Berkshires, and the memorable and beautiful music presented led me to hunt down this most recent of his recordings. The technical quality of the recording is first rate, and the melodies are wonderful. Mr. Rodenkirchen's performance is central, and the wooden transverse flutes he plays produce a clear and haunting tone. Listening, one can actually imagine such music enticing the children to follow the musician! Lutes, psaltery, drums and viols gently accompany the flute on several pieces, but always in a gentle and complementary fashion that does not detract from the central focus on the flute.

Walther von der Vogelweide - Lieder von Macht & Liebe - Per-Sonat (2015) {Christophorus CHR 77394}
XLD rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 378 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 171 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 28 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 2015 Christophorus | CHR 77394
Classical / Medieval / Early Music

There is hardly a better representative of medieval poetry than Walther von der Vogelweide. He is considered one of the most important Minnesänger and Sangspruch (sung speech) poets of the Middle Ages. Sabine Lutzenberger and the ensemble Per-Sonat have underlaid some of Walther's poems with his own "Tönen" (= melodies), others with music of his contemporaries, completing fragments and reproducing several melodies in the style of the period. Sangspruch, one of most important handed-down traditions together with the Minnesang, functions here as the link between history and living performance practice. The sources extend from the 13th century to the Meistersang. Listeners can now experience Walther's magnificent poetry sung for the first time on this CD.

Per-Sonat - Bis an der Weld ihr Ende: Deutsche Lieder der Reformationszeit (2017) {Christophorus CHR 77410}
XLD rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 337 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 165 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 18 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 2017 Christophorus / Note 1 Music | CHR 77410
Classical / Renaissance / Early Music / Vocal Music / Chamber Music / Sacred

Martin Luther, the great German Reformer, has had not only a lasting theological effect; he also had a big influence on the musical development of his time. He demanded the use of the German language for hymns sung at church services, and thereby created the basis for the early “German Lied”. Sabine Lutzenberger, a fine early music expert, and her Per-Sonat ensemble present a broad overview of sacred and secular songs from this era. Soprano Sabine Lutzenberger has been a member of the “Ensemble for Early Music Augsburg) for years, and is a pioneer of medieval singing. She founded Per-Sonat in 2008, and has performed in most of the well-known festivals of Early Music in Europe and beyond. Her repertoire spans the 9th to 17th centuries, with an additional focus on contemporary music.

Eric Vloeimans - Umai (2000) {Challenge Records SA CHR 75061}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 360 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 171 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (png) -> 60 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 2000 Challenge Records | SA CHR 75061
Jazz / Contemporary Jazz / Mainstream Jazz / Trumpet

One thing that makes the music on this recording exceptional is of course that it could only have been played by these four musicians. Each one is an individual with his own sound, his own approach to improvising and each has his own musical experience to draw from. Another thing that makes it remarkable is the attitude and inspiration of the quartets leader and composer. Eric leads without dominating, sharing his compositions and ideas with his partners in such a way that allows each one the freedom to contribute their own ideas and inventions to the whole. Last, but not least, Eric’s wonderfully adventurous trumpet playing and his humanity.