Richard I Coeur-de-lion, Guiot de Dijon, Chastelain de Couci, Conon de Bethune, Gace Brule, Bernart de Ventadorn, Gaucelm Faidit, Emmanuel Bonnardot, Raphael Boulay, Pierre Hamon, Alla Francesca - Richard Coeur de Lion (Richard the Lionheart): Troubadours & TrouvA¨res in the Courts of Eleanor of Aquitaine, Richard the Lionheart, Marie de Champagne & Geoffroy, Duke of Brittany - Alla Francesca

This award-winning disc deserves credit not only for its excellent performances, but also for its success in creating atmosphere. From the disc's first sounds--cittern, flute, and harp--we know we've left the 20th century far behind and we've entered a mysterious and fascinating place. The place is the world of the 12th century, the time of the Crusades and of the exploits of Richard the Lion-Hearted, duke of Aquitaine, and king of England. The songs are about courtly love, longing for lovers left behind, and, in one remarkable song by Richard himself, about the despair and desolation he experienced as a prisoner. There also is a long, impassioned song in which the singer expresses his undying devotion: "Never will my heart leave you as long as I live." Songs are performed by a variety of first-rate singers, and are interspersed with lively instrumental selections. --David Vernier Amazon.com

Inappropriate pronunciation!

I originally wrote a glowing review for this CD, and musically it is superb. However, I recently began reading the book "An Introduction to Old French" by William W. Kibler and this made me realise that the pronunciation of the C12th French is probably quite wrong. On this CD the songs are pronounced pretty much like modern French, or at least middle French, with many unpronounced letters. To quote from Kibler "All letters that were written represented phonemes, with the following exceptions". He then lists 4 exceptions: final -nt (after late C13th); s interior; h; and etymological letters. Thus, there are very few exceptions. The best example that I have found of authentic pronunciation is "Chevrefoil" by Istanpitta. Compare the two CDs. There is a huge difference! May 18, 2008

Fantastic!

Probably the best troubadour/trouvere disc that I've heard. Stirring vocal work and authentic instrumentation invoke the spirit of the 12th & 13th centuries perfectly. Includes a great rendition of King Richard's 'Prison Song', as well as 'Redit etas aurea', a song that I've read the text of before (the lyrics are great-very representative of the 12th century mindset) but never heard performed. I didn't know that any notation of it had survived. Definitely recommended for fans of early music, but so well done that anyone looking for something new and interesting to listen to would probably enjoy it. November 3, 2006

Richard the Lionheart Prison Blues

Alla Francesca extemely great, lively and emotionally re-creates and performes two songs tied with Richard the Lionheart. First of them by Richard himself, "Ja nuns hons pris" ("No Prisoner Will Ever Speak His Mind Fully..."), written while he was imprisoned in Austria on the way back from Palestine. Really sad and beautiful song. And the second - song by Gauselm Faidit dedicated to the death of Richard. The other songs and instrumentals are also from the time of the Crusades.
The music performed here in more interesting and emotional way than on the famous old disc by David Munrow "Music of the Crusades". According to my experience, this music usually charms and impresses the listeners who never before heard medieval music.

P.S. If the music of the Crusades epoch is interesting for you - there is CD released in Germany - full version (30:48) of famous song by Walther von der Vogelweide "Palastinalied" (Song of Palestine) written in the 1220s and performed by 20 German authetic, folk, prog rock, Gothic and electronic music bands as single concept piece of music (produced by Markus Van Langen). Though it is not authentic record, still it sounds very lively and original and helps to feel the spirit of that epoch. Search the Web for site of label Emmuty Records. December 18, 2005

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