Philippe de Vitry and the Ars Nova

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Early Music Review, Orlando Consort, Philippe de Vitry, Philippe de Vitry and the Ars Nova

Joie de Vitry!

This is a stunningly pretty collection. The fourteenth century composer Philippe de Vitry  here is most joyously rendered by the Orlando Consort, who float and weave their musical lines with effortless grace (so it sounds) It seems impossible such voices should issue forth  from the gentlemen on the left!

The pieces lack the intensity of the religious/spiritually inspired pieces of early vocal music.

These are for the most part secular, and range from lively little airs, with a jaunty, spring like feel, like a French version of Sumer is a cumin in – to full bodied plaints which sound like an ardent swain pleading for his lady’s favours – a wooing song, a love song, no less, and pieces which just seemed designed to show off the composer, lyricist and singers’ artistry, in an `oh how did they do THAT’ sort of way, for the listener, and leave us applauding their skills and the pleasure this music brings.

It’s possible (not having the texts on an mp3 download) that some of these are songs of praise, but if they are, it is to a divinity who a friend, not to a being who is full of awe and majesty. More of a lares and penares sort of providence.

This is such smile filled music!

Philippe de Vitry and the Ars Nova Amazon UK
Philippe de Vitry and the Ars Nova Amazon USA

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Josquin des Prez – Motets – Orlando Consort

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Classical music, Early music, Josquin des Prez, Orlando Consort

Purity and Grace

Here is music by Josquin des Prez, effortlessly rendered by the Orlando Consort

What particularly impresses is that the musical lines are extremely clear and unmuddied, the interweaving of vocal lines shimmer tightly. This is, due to the fact that the Orlandos choose to have only one person singing each line; the result is that it becomes possible, with concentration, to follow one voice whilst holding the whole.

Its rather like looking at a complicated, beautiful piece of multicoloured weaving, finding delight in viewing the harmoniousness of the whole, and shifting attention to each line of colour, looking at the pattern it individually makes. The listener is drawn in to a very active listening experience, rather than the passive washing over of sound.

Art reaches a high level when the participants are so much in control of their technique, and so much in tune with their material, that they make what they do seem utterly effortless, hiding the joins and structure of technique. The Orlandos sing this music as if it were the easiest, and most obvious thing to do, to reach perfection.

Josquin Desprez – Motets – Orlando Consort Amazon UK This has been reissued, more cheaply, but only as a CD so you can’t hear on mp3 Prettier cover too!
Josquin Desprez – Motets – Orlando Consort Amazon USA