Thread: Renaissance Recommendations ?

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

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.

There were some good suggestions made recently in this thread

Checked a few you-tubes as regards the works;
the Lamento della Ninfa with Figueiras:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CAjIVAO5f0&

Likewise this Tallis recording:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTLujgnkya0.

Dowland with O´Dette:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXFOA3jPbYg&

The way of music-making is extremely important in this repertoire.

I really love this motet by the Franco-Flemish composer Josquin des Prez.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNm9tNZePew

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:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Cn7ZW8ts3Y

Josquin by the Hilliard Ensemble:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVG8jxKuqAw

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pio_u7X2juc

Pierre de la Rue performed by the Ensemble Clement Janequin:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIyKW83oA2c

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ue9HxppC_Gg

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):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lo-YHl5269w

The second one's on Tallis and Byrd:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wB_UQze6ISY

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.

If you are interested in some earlier Medieval music, Machaut's Notre Dame Mass is an excellent work.

Thanks all, made a list up. Hopefully I'"ll pick up a few CD's this week.

Tony

If you like an active bass, check out Johannes Ockeghem.