There’s music from the time of the Crusades (11th-13th C.) in music from English guitarist and folk musician John Renbourn; American maverick composer Lou Harrison, as played by Kronos Quartet; early English polyphony from English folk singer Shirley Collins; and music of Hildegard von Bingen.
English folk musician John Renbourn, perhaps best known for his collaboration with guitarist Bert Jansch as well as his work with the folk group Pentangle, also recorded early (medieval and renaissance) classical music and world music. Hear some medieval dances from his record called The Lady and the Unicorn. Also, listen to a 13th Century English gymel (a sort of early English polyphony) in praise of the Virgin Mary from English folk singer Shirley Collins.
There’s music by 12th Century abbess, composer, and mystic Hildegard of Bingen from a recording of her music by the group Gothic Voices. Also, listen to some of Lou Harrison’s five-movement String Quartet Set, as played by Kronos Quaret which “offers an overview of Harrison’s eclectic and global musical interests: it begins with a series of variations on a medieval German song (the “Pälestinalied” by the musically-named Walter von der Vogelweide) before moving on to a lyrical lament, [and] an earthy medieval stamping dance”, (10 Essential Kronos Quartet Recordings, Schaefer). That, and more. - Caryn Havlik
Program #25: New Sounds of Ancient Music (first aired in 1984)
ARTIST: Jeno Simon, Kecskes Ensemble, Bakfark Balint Lute Trio
WORK: Solo for the Ud, Arab Music from the Sultan's Court [1:00]
RECORDING: Ancient Turkish Music In Europe (16Th - 18Th Centuries)
SOURCE: Hungaroton
INFO: Available at Amazon.com and Spotify
ARTIST: Thomas Binkley, Studio Der Frühen Musik
WORK: Guiot de Dijon: Chanterai pour mon coraige [11:22]
RECORDING: Troubadours & Trouveres
SOURCE: Telefunken / Warner Classics
INFO: Available at AppleMusic, Amazon.com, YouTube, and Spotify
ARTIST: John Renbourn
WORK: Trotto [2:28]
RECORDING: The Lady and The Unicorn
SOURCE: Lost Lake Arts / Windham Hill
INFO: Available at AppleMusic, Amazon.com, YouTube, and Spotify
ARTIST: John Renbourn
WORK: Saltarello [1:57]
RECORDING: The Lady and The Unicorn
SOURCE: Lost Lake Arts / Windham Hill
INFO: Available at AppleMusic, Amazon.com, YouTube, and Spotify
ARTIST: John Renbourn
WORK: Lamento di Tristan [1:00]
RECORDING: The Lady and The Unicorn
SOURCE: Lost Lake Arts / Windham Hill
INFO: Available at AppleMusic, Amazon.com, YouTube, and Spotify
ARTIST: Shirley Collins
WORK: Edi Beo Thu Hevene Quene [3:41]
RECORDING: Amaranth
SOURCE: Harvest
INFO: Try Discogs.com
ARTIST: Gothic Voices
WORK: O Jerusalem [7:57]
RECORDING: Hildegard of Bingen—A feather on the breath of God
SOURCE: Hyperion
INFO: Available at AppleMusic, Amazon.com, YouTube, and Spotify
ARTIST: Gothic Voices
WORK: O viridissima virga [3:08]
RECORDING: Hildegard of Bingen—A feather on the breath of God
SOURCE: Hyperion
INFO: Available at AppleMusic, Amazon.com, YouTube, and Spotify
ARTIST: Kronos Quartet
WORK: Lou Harrison: Variations on Walther von der Vogelweide's Nu alrest leb' ich mir werde [5:16]
RECORDING: Lou Harrison 3 Pieces for Gamelan/ String Quartet Set
SOURCE: CRI reissued on New World Records
INFO: https://newworldrecords.bandcamp.com/album/chamber-and-gamelan-works
ARTIST: Kronos Quartet
WORK: Lou Harrison: Estampie [3:57]
RECORDING: Lou Harrison 3 Pieces for Gamelan/ String Quartet Set
SOURCE: CRI reissued on New World Records
INFO: https://newworldrecords.bandcamp.com/album/chamber-and-gamelan-works
ARTIST: John Renbourn Group
WORK: Schafertanz [1:37]
RECORDING: A Maid in Bedlam
SOURCE: Shanachie / Transatlantic
INFO: Available at AppleMusic, Amazon.com, YouTube, and Spotify
ARTIST: Mesrop Machdotz
WORK: Anganim aratchi [:35]
RECORDING: Armenie: Chant Liturgiques du Moyen-Age Et Musique Instrumentale
SOURCE: Ocora 66
INFO: Try Discogs.com