Early / Ancient / Medieval / Folk Music

[Dylar]

Savall, Jordi


Jordi Savall - the Medieval Fiddle (Rapidshare)

The ensemble Hesperion XXI, conducted by Jordi Savall, hereby present us with a compilation of medieval works having in common their method of composition, each of which relies on relentless modification and exposition of a very simple theme to create a reasonably fractalized structure perhaps similar to Demilich's 'clockwork' technique, but obviously in an ancient-sounding context. Improvisation and 'free' interpretation of the written score by Hesperion XXI results in some of the most elegant, beautiful, emotive and nostalgic points of view this plague-ridden modern world has to offer on medieval music.

[Niko]

Loreena McKennit

Lush and melodic celtic-folk

Loreena Mckennitt - The Wind That Shakes the Barley (2010, Rapidshare)

I have long considered the creative impulse to be a visit – a thing of grace, perhaps, not commanded or owned so much as awaited, prepared for. A thing, also, of mystery. This recording endeavours to explore some of that mystery.

It looks as well into the earlier eastern influences of the Celts and the likelihood that they started from as far away as Eastern Europe before being driven to the western margins of Europe, particularly in the British Isles. With their musical influences came rituals around birth and death which treated the land as holy and haunted; this life itself as a visit. Afterwards, one’s soul might move to another plane, or another form – perhaps a tree. The Celts knew then, as we are re-learning now, a deep respect for all the life around them. This recording aspires to be nothing as much as a reflection into the weave of these things. – L.M.

[Niko]

Garmarna

Garmarna - Hildegard von Bingen (2001, Rapidshare)

Garmarna is inspired by music of the medieval period, be it their usual repertoire of Swedish folk, or in this case, the music of twelfth century nun Hildegard von Bingen. They studied the source material, and created new instrumental arrangements to surround the lyrics and von Bingen's original melody. Garmarna's style is a mixture of ancient and modern -- medieval music and modern modes are melted together. Layers of strings, guitars, hurdy-gurdy and percussion swirl around the traditional vocals of Emma Härdelin. Emma is at the center singing the old lyrics and melodies while the rest of the band create a new, electronic environment around her.

[Niko]

Värttinä

Finnish folk music.

Värttinä - Vihma (1998, Rapidshare)

Värttinä - Ilmatar (2000, Rapidshare)

[Eleison]

Found this in a music library, some of the best vocal music I have heard.  Exceeds early Latin sacred music in its variety and musicality.  The modality of these pieces is reminiscent of some Indian Classical Music.  This music is still sung in the Greek Orthodox Church, which is notable for its preservation of tradition in all of the arts over 1000+ years.  Here is music that has truly stood the test of time.

Greek Orthodox Choir of Sydney - The Ancient, Majestic and Mystical Sounds of Byzantium (Rapidshare)

[beletty]

Icelandic Folk Music


Icelandic Folk Music - Instrumental Version of Islandsklukkur (Rapidshare)

[Prospero]

Jon Balke & Amina Alaoui


Siwan (Rapidshare)

[Athanasius contra mundum]

Väsen

Swedish folk ensemble that enacts a lively, aggressive, and technical performance of music that joyously celebrates the power of ancient values in a modern context. Similar to Ottorino Respighi and Lord Wind, as well as some Baroque music.

Väsen - Essence (1994, Mediafire)

[ChapelOfTorment]

Huun-Huur-Tu
Awesome Tuvan folk music. Great for working, playing along to, or just walking around and listening.

60 Horses in My Herd: Old Songs and Tunes of Tuva (1993, Mediafire)

The Bulgarian Voices-Angelite & Huun-Huur-Tu -- Fly, Fly My Sadness (1996, Mediafire)

The Bulgarian Voices Angelite/Moscow Art Trio/Huun-Huur-Tu - Mountain Tale (1998, Mediafire)

Where Young Grass Grows (1999, Mediafire)

[E]

The Gradual of Eleanor of Brittany
Plain-chant and polyphonies of the 13th & 14th centuries.

Ensemble Organum, Marcel PÉRÈS
Harmonia Mundi 1993

[E]

Jiří Stivín - Flute Music from the Age of Renaissance

Tracklist:

        LA ZAMBECCARA soprano, alto, tenor, bass
        Claudio Merulo (1533-1604)
        FANTASIA EN ECHO soprano
        Jacob Jan van Eyck (c.1590-1657)
        FANTASIA III tenor, tenor
        Orlando Gibbons (1583-1625)
        LA SPAGNA sopranino, soprano, tenor, tenor, bass
        anonymous (15th century)
        FANTASIA tenor, tenor, bass
        Thomas Morley (1557-1602)
        SOLFEGGIAMENTO soprnao, soprano
        Giuseppe Giamberti (c.1600-1622-4)
        PAVANE LACHRIMAE (1604) soprano in G - soprano, alto, tenor, tenor, bass
        John Dowland (1563-1626), figuration by Jacob Jan van Eyck
        FANTASIA: LA CACCIA (1595) soprano, tenor
        Thomas Morley (1557-1602)
        THE TIME OF YOUTH soprano, alto, bass
        Henry VIII (1491-1547)
        ARIA SOPRA LA BERGAMASCA (1642) soprano, soprano, bass
        Marco Uccellini (c.1603-1680)
        CANZONA soprano, alto, alto, tenor
        Filip de Monte (1521-1603)
        FANTASIA I alto, alto
        Orlando Gibbons (1583-1625)
        PERO PIU FERM` OGN` HOR DI TEMPO (1584) soprano, alto, tenor, bass
        Girolamo Dalla Casa "da Udine" (?-1601) after Cipriano de Rore (1515-6-1565)
        BALLO DI MANTUA soprano in B, soprano in B
        Giuseppe Giamberti (c.1600-1662-4)
        CANZONA LA PADOVANA soprano, alto, tenor, bass + soprano, alto, tenor, bass
        Ludovico Grossi da Viadana (1564-1645)
        AS FAIR AS MORN soprano, alto, tenor
        John Wilbye (1574-1638)
        LA GIRANDOLA alto in G, alto in G
        Thomas Morley (1557-1602)
        PAVANE soprano, soprano, alto, bass
        John Dowland (1563-1626)
        FANTASIA II soprano, alto, tenor, bass
        Orlando Gibbonns (1583-1625)
        WHEN DAPHNE FROM FAIR PHOEBUS DID FLY soprano in B
        Jacob Jan van Eyck (c.1590-1657) variations on anonymous

Jiří STIVÍN, recorders

[E]

Jewish Chamber Music

Collegium Musicum Judaicum
Chaim STOROSUM
K.A. Posthuma productions 1989


Chants Et Danses Populaires De Turquie

Türküola/Playasound 1988

In the middle of the Balkan and Arabian influencies, the Turkish popular music has kept its remakable independence and originality. More sprightly than the Arabian music and more oriental than the Greek or Bulgarian music, the turkish music remains at once recognizable its roots are in the Central Anatolia, far away from towns and their occidental influencies.
The melodies beginning from the highest note and finishing to the lowest note mark an influency from Central Asia to which came on top Caucasian and Greek contributions.
There are many kinds of original instruments:the plucked strings,the"Baglama" with 6 strings, the "Bozuk" with 8 strings, the "Asik Sasi" with 9 strings and the "Meydan Sasi" with 12 strings. The Bowed instruments are mainly the "Kemance" with 3 strings and the "Kabak".
The wind instruments are the "Zurna" derived from the family of oboes, frequently replaced by the clarinet in the present music, and different types of flute like the "Kaval".
Last of all, the percussion instruments are the "Davul" and the "Darbuka".

[E]

 CANTO GREGORIANO: CD I - CD II
Choir of the Benedictine Monks of Santo Domingo de Silos
EMI 1973, 1980

[E]

Carmina Burana - Songs of the Middle Ages
Catherine BOTT, soprano
Michael George, bariton
New London Consort
Philip PICKETT, cond.
DECCA 1989

Note: This is a selection from the original 4 cds. The complete set is long out of print and very expensive; if someone could upload it I would be very delighted.
It's especially interesting because it contains the song used for the intro to Graveland's In The Glare of Burning Churches.

[E]

The Amsterdam Synagogue - Chants throughout the Jewish Year
Choir & Orchestra of the Netherlands' Jewish Main Synagogue
Hans BLOEMENDAL, cantor
Philips 1960-1968