Guillaume Dufay

[Mandryka]

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Very interesting to pass from Northern Star to Dufay. We all know that Dufay and friends were influenced by Dunstable and friends, and if you listen to the two CDs that kind of becomes really obvious. But most of all,  it's nice to hear the English and French composers sung in the same distinctive (Pythagorean?) tuning and blend of voices, and with the same reflective approach.

A brief listen to The Call of the Phoenix (2002) suggests that this tuning is something relatively new. It's a shame they haven't discussed it in print, at least not as far as I know.

[San Antone]

Something a little different:



Ambrose Field: Being Dufay
John Potter

British tenor John Potter and fellow countryman Ambrose Field, composer of electronic/digital music, offer a striking juxtaposition of Renaissance music and present-day technology: In seven interconnected pieces, vocal fragments from the songs and sacred works by Guillaume Dufay (1397–1474) soar beautifully above Ambrose Field's vast and multi-faceted soundscapes. "Then as now, music was not forever fixed but lived and breathed through the imaginations of former musicians and their listeners", writes Field in his liner notes for "Being Dufay". Potter's voice immerses itself with great ease in the allusively processed sounds. Amrose Field: "The fragments of original Dufay are always presented entirely unaltered, and serve as a reference point or cantus firmus within what is new. From that new perspective, I wanted to explore the limits of the electronic medium, and produce a new set of musical colours."

[Mandryka]

Something a little different:



Ambrose Field: Being Dufay
John Potter

British tenor John Potter and fellow countryman Ambrose Field, composer of electronic/digital music, offer a striking juxtaposition of Renaissance music and present-day technology: In seven interconnected pieces, vocal fragments from the songs and sacred works by Guillaume Dufay (1397–1474) soar beautifully above Ambrose Field's vast and multi-faceted soundscapes. "Then as now, music was not forever fixed but lived and breathed through the imaginations of former musicians and their listeners", writes Field in his liner notes for "Being Dufay". Potter's voice immerses itself with great ease in the allusively processed sounds. Amrose Field: "The fragments of original Dufay are always presented entirely unaltered, and serve as a reference point or cantus firmus within what is new. From that new perspective, I wanted to explore the limits of the electronic medium, and produce a new set of musical colours."

Have you heard The Dowland Project recordings? Similar sort of idea maybe.

[San Antone]

Have you heard The Dowland Project recordings? Similar sort of idea maybe.

Yes.  I like all of the John Potter recordings.  There are also some recordings with the Hilliard Ensemble and Jan Garbarek which are also on ECM and in the same stylistic area.  I am very open to this kind of genre blending.  But I understand it may not be for everyone.

[Mandryka]

Yes.  I like all of the John Potter recordings.  There are also some recordings with the Hilliard Ensemble and Jan Garbarek which are also on ECM and in the same stylistic area.  I am very open to this kind of genre blending.  But I understand it may not be for everyone.

I'm glad you posted those John Potter recordings, because it lead me to these recordings that Orlando Consort made, and I think they're fun -- you should try to hear them, I bet you will appreciate them

     

[Carlo Gesualdo]

Dear Mandryka , what do you think oof huelgas Ensemble,Dufay Isorythmics motets, I felt, like stare of endless of Renaissance best paintings, and a glimpse into what was the Future music to come, almost sound borderline very early renaissance whit Sir Paul van Nevel, so surreal, and pretty work , like staring at La Mona Lisa painting of Leonardo Da Vinci smiling at the listener, a mussic you feel and as a view or panorama on what Dufay what   bold & adventurous, my I dare say avant-garde of the past, superb rendition, when you hear this masterpieces, you come across hidden detail in composition it's is out of this world, perhaps Traverso like it too, I dont know but this album scream out genius in the making, magical trip  time travel, escapism!!

[Mandryka]

Dear Mandryka , what do you think oof huelgas Ensemble,Dufay Isorythmics motets, I felt, like stare of endless of Renaissance best paintings, and a glimpse into what was the Future music to come, almost sound borderline very early renaissance whit Sir Paul van Nevel, so surreal, and pretty work , like staring at La Mona Lisa painting of Leonardo Da Vinci smiling at the listener, a mussic you feel and as a view or panorama on what Dufay what   bold & adventurous, my I dare say avant-garde of the past, superb rendition, when you hear this masterpieces, you come across hidden detail in composition it's is out of this world, perhaps Traverso like it too, I dont know but this album scream out genius in the making, magical trip  time travel, escapism!!

Beautiful renaissance singing. Highly polished.

[vers la flamme]

This thread appears to be a treasure trove of recommendations for great Dufay. I'm seeking out the Huelgas disc on HM with isorhythmic motets.

Any love for Dufay Chansons by Ensemble Unicorn on Naxos?

Anyone listening to Dufay lately?

[Mandryka]

Any love for Dufay Chansons by Ensemble Unicorn on Naxos?

I wrote this about it six months ago. I remember finding it through Vergine Bella.

I've never explored Ensemble Unicorn's recordings before as far as I recall. There are some really nice performances of secular Du Fay here, the instrument fantasy on  Quel Fronte signorille  is bold and imaginative, Bernhard Landauer has a voice I can live with happily, and the way Ensemble Unicorn support his singing is never routine or boring.

Oh, there's an introspective and prayerful performance of Vergine Bella à la Oberlin, I bet he's an inspiration for it!

[vers la flamme]

I wrote this about it six months ago. I remember finding it through Vergine Bella.

Ah, sounds good to me. It can be had for cheap, I might snag it.

[Mandryka]

I'm seeking out the Huelgas disc on HM with isorhythmic motets.

I thought I'd listen to a couple, Vasilissa ergo gaude and O gemma, lux et speculum.

They have a busy high voice and more slow and steady lower voices.

Nevel peps them up with a bit of brass, which is a very Nevel thing to do! The result is grand and rich.

Can these motets be played a cappella -- or would it fall flat? Clerks Group do Vasilissa ergo gaude a cappella, that's the only one I can find. They use instruments for O gemma lux.

[Carlo Gesualdo]

Hello Mandryka  I'm listening to a fine LP on Seraphim Label early consort of music directed by brilliant David Munrow.

Missa face ay Pale a very very good vinyl and rendition of Dufay, David Munrow ensemble really nail  it,  this LP unreal, trully

[vers la flamme]

Hello Mandryka  I'm listening to a fine LP on Seraphim Label early consort of music directed by brilliant David Munrow.

Missa face ay Pale a very very good vinyl and rendition of Dufay, David Munrow ensemble really nail  it,  this LP unreal, trully

I have that on CD, it's a damn MHS bootleg but I still love it. So good.

[Mandryka]

It's a while since I listened to any Dufay in a serious way, I think the last thing was Vellard doing Missa Ave Regina Caelorum on an old Stil CD. Anyway, I've just ordered this

The new album "NEW FLOWERS" by friends of green sonic and Deutschlandfunk Kultur with music by the great renaissance composer Guillaume Dufay is a milestone in the publication of early music: The brilliant ensemble SANTENAY blossoms the beauty of timeless music in a whole new style - full of elegance and deep expression. At the same time, the album celebrates a sound world premiere: The music was recorded with the award-winning "clàr" recorder. The new recording technology offers a completely new 3D sound experience in the world's highest sound resolution. In short: an album with new flowers for the ear and the soul.

[Carlo Gesualdo]

It's a while since I listened to any Dufay in a serious way, I think the last thing was Vellard doing Missa Ave Regina Caelorum on an old Stil CD. Anyway, I've just ordered this

Wow Mandryka I'm anvious this look awesome indeed

[Que]

It's a while since I listened to any Dufay in a serious way, I think the last thing was Vellard doing Missa Ave Regina Caelorum on an old Stil CD. Anyway, I've just ordered this

Johan van Veen is not quite loving it....

http://www.musica-dei-donum.org/cd_reviews/Hyperion_CDA68236_greensonic_CD1710.html

[Mandryka]

Johan van Veen is not quite loving it....

http://www.musica-dei-donum.org/cd_reviews/Hyperion_CDA68236_greensonic_CD1710.html

Well I think he's being a bit of fusspot, you get the impression he was in a grumpy mood and looking for negative things to say. There's zero problem about text intelligibility. The most striking thing about the Santenay disc is the singer, there's only one, and she's got a characterful voice which you will either love or loath. Shades of Callas - if Callas sang Du Fay in a medieval style - not belting it out like in Bellini - this is what it would sound like. Anyone thinking of buying it should try to sample her timbre.

I like her voice, but that's just good fortune.

The performances are intimate.  It is beautifully packaged.

[Que]

Thx, will look for it for a good listen. 

Q

[Mandryka]

https://www.youtube.com/v/pY9WcXVTWGw&feature=emb_logo

Good video on isorhythmic motets here (in French)

[Mandryka]

Excellent Cinquecento concert with a Dufay mass amongst other things, here

https://classicalmusicinconcert.blogspot.com/2024/06/dufay-missa-se-la-face-ay-pale.html

Their style here seems close to Rebecca Stewart's Modal Singing, which (speaking objectively) is obviously a good thing.

Good sound, lots of room ambience so realistic I expect.