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Renaissance Recommendations ?

2K views 8 replies 7 participants last post by  Mr Chewie 
#1 ·
I want to pick up a few Renaissance recordings. I know nothing about this time period. Any hints on some basic Cd's I might try.

Thanks Tony
 
#2 · (Edited)
Just a couple of suggestions; personally I prefer a rather modern sound and playing style, rather than say, counter-tenors and "too authentic"-sounding-instruments:
- Thomas Tallis: O Nata Lux - a wonderful short introduction to Renaissance choral music,
I know the Willcocks/Kings College Choir as especially good in Tallis-albums. The other choral works,
such as the Lamentations of Jeremiah and Spem in Alium-motet, requires more listening, but they are
rewarding.
- John Dowland: Lute music & Songs, called "Ayres". Emma Kirkby and Anthony Rooley has made
some nice recordings, for example. As regards the lute works, I prefer the melodic strength of
Paul O´Dette.
- Jordi Savall, the soprano Montserrat Figueiras, and Ensemble Hesperion are always good in this
repertoire. For example, there is a fine and varied album of music at the court of King Carlos V.
- Monteverdi. Now we´re approaching Baroque, but anyway:"The Maria-Vespers", for instance the
Corboz recording;"L´Orfeo"-opera, for instance the Corboz or the Jürgens recording;"Il Combat-
timento di Tancredi e Clorinda", a dramatic and varied scene with catchy content; "Lamento della
Ninfa", of heartbreaking beauty, especially the recording by Gini, Cadelo and the Concerto Ensemble.
 
#6 ·
Here's some stuff that I like:

Tallis's Spem in Alium by the Taverner Consort. Their double disc 'Latin Church Music' is probably the best value introduction to him IMO:



Josquin by the Hilliard Ensemble:



Jacob Obrecht by Pro Cantione Antiqua. I'd recommend the discs by The Clerks' Group and The Oxford Camerata:



Pierre de la Rue performed by the Ensemble Clement Janequin:



Antoine Brumel's 'Earthquake Mass' by the most celebrated Renaissance choral group The Tallis Scholars:



These vids from the BBCs Sacred Music series might be a useful introduction. The first one's on Palestrina (with a bit about Josquin and Lassus):



The second one's on Tallis and Byrd:



I hope that'll be helpful.

btw Seraglio, that's a lovely Josquin recording by the Huelgas Ensemble you linked to. I'll have to look out for that.
 
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