"It belongs in every collection of medieval song."
Cantigas de amigo MARTIN CODAX (fl. early 13th century) [25'36] voice, symphony, harp, pandeiro Ondas do mar de vigo (Sea waves of Vigo) [3'37] Mandad' ei comigo (My love's coming home) [2'36] Mia jrmana fremosa treides comigo (Fair sister, come haste with me) [2'57] Aj deus se sab'ora meu amigo (Ah, God, could thou, my lover, know) [6'01] Quantas sabedes amar amigo (All ye who are of love's fair train) [6'11] Eno sagrado en vigo (On holy ground in Vigo) [2'37] Aj ondas que eu vin veer (Waves that I came to see) [1'34] Domna, pos vos ay chausida ANONYMOUS (13th century) [2'43] (Lady, since I have chosen you) voice, symphony, harp, bendir Estampie Royal 'No 3' ANONYMOUS (13th century) [2'46] symphony, harp, bendir Onques n'amai tant que jou fui amee RICHART DE FOURNIVAL 1201-1260 [6'07] (I never loved as much as I was loved) voice, medieval fiddle, harp Onques n'amai tant que jou fui amee RICHART DE FOURNIVAL 1201-1260 [1'34] harp Estampie Royal 'No 6' ANONYMOUS (13th century) [2'58] medieval fiddle, bendir Estampie Royal 'No 4' ANONYMOUS (13th century) [2'25] medieval fiddle, bendir A chantar m'er de so qu'ieu non volria LA COMTESSE DE DIE (late 12th century) [5'25] (I must sing of that which I would rather not) voice Danse Royale 'No 2' ANONYMOUS (13th century) [3'12] harp, medieval fiddle Lasse, pour quoi refusai ANONYMOUS (early 14th century) [6'29] (Alas, why did I refuse him?) voice, medieval fiddle, harp, bendir
This was the debut recording of Sinfonye and was very much admired at the time of its first issue. The reissue on Helios quotes two of its earlier reviews – ‘Surely one of the most memorable and touching recitals of the decade’ (The Independent) and ‘A fantastic record. Buy it’ (Early Music News). I have no difficulty in sharing such enthusiasm almost twenty years later. It is a CD which has stood the test of time very well. Fashions in performance style come and go – nowhere more so than in medieval music – but performances of such power as these survive all such considerations.
HYPERION HELIOS CDH55207