I've performed early music in multiple contexts for several years now. Also, having a jazz & classical background, I am totally comfortable with experimentation, unconventional approach/interpretation, and traditionally non-pleasant sounds. However, I don't see how there could be any historical justification for this interpretation. Unconventional or traditionally "non-pleasant" sounds for an artistic reason can be a healthy and welcome change; however, in this case, it really sounds like that top voice is TRYING to be ugly for the sake of being ugly. Also, I'm not an expert on 15th century French diction, but I do not think that this pronunciation is remotely correct. Perhaps the 15th century French language police will come in and correct me....Whatever this was, it really hurt my ears.
One of Musica Reservata's philosophies is that any modern performance of early music is unlikely to capture the original sound. Their vocal technique is based on representations of singers in particular postures in medieval art. They may also be using Pythagorean tuning.
It hurts my ears too, but it sounds fantastic!!! I can listen to this over and over again! I LOVE it! Firstly, the song is secular. So, no need for “schooled” voices here. It is not a motet. Secondly, the type of voice is like the shepherds in mountainous areas where they sing like this up to this day! The high pitched shrilll voice that carries verry far! So I imagine this song being sung outdoors in the mountaains, and the picture is complete. This is a beautiful performance of pagean singing, in my humble opinion.
Have always loved Jantina Noorman and Music Reservata. They knew what was up.
Uncompromisingly scrappy performance from a time where early Music was still very avant-garde. I enjoyed it very much.
Rough! bloody great. Many thanks for uploading!
The rough performance seems to be the result of an outstanding interpretative ideas upon a kind of stronger, vivid and natural expressive context.
Exuberant!!!
Very, very interesting. Thanks for uploading.
Thank you for uploading this. Is the recording from a BBC broadcast of the Queen Elizabeth Hall concert?
I've performed early music in multiple contexts for several years now. Also, having a jazz & classical background, I am totally comfortable with experimentation, unconventional approach/interpretation, and traditionally non-pleasant sounds. However, I don't see how there could be any historical justification for this interpretation. Unconventional or traditionally "non-pleasant" sounds for an artistic reason can be a healthy and welcome change; however, in this case, it really sounds like that top voice is TRYING to be ugly for the sake of being ugly. Also, I'm not an expert on 15th century French diction, but I do not think that this pronunciation is remotely correct. Perhaps the 15th century French language police will come in and correct me....Whatever this was, it really hurt my ears.
One of Musica Reservata's philosophies is that any modern performance of early music is unlikely to capture the original sound. Their vocal technique is based on representations of singers in particular postures in medieval art. They may also be using Pythagorean tuning.
It hurts my ears too, but it sounds fantastic!!! I can listen to this over and over again! I LOVE it! Firstly, the song is secular. So, no need for “schooled” voices here. It is not a motet. Secondly, the type of voice is like the shepherds in mountainous areas where they sing like this up to this day! The high pitched shrilll voice that carries verry far! So I imagine this song being sung outdoors in the mountaains, and the picture is complete. This is a beautiful performance of pagean singing, in my humble opinion.