COMPOSERS: Anonymous
LABELS: Opus 111
WORKS: Medieval instrumental dances
PERFORMER: Modo Antique
CATALOGUE NO: OPS 30-142 DDD
There is great variety on the items from Alia Francesca, Modo Antiquo and Ensemble Micrologus — but you have to be open to the 'musical toyshop' approach with lots of instruments and atmospherics. Highlights include a disembodied and captivating 'Tedescha' No. 4 from Modo Antiquo, a ravishing 'Quant ces flouretes' from Alia Francesca and a subde and soundly musical 'Non form6 Cristi' from Ensemble Micrologus.
The quality of the recordings is high, though the Discantus tracks perhaps need a little more 'warmth'. As a series, however, this has the two most important ingredients in abundance — discoveries and delights. Anthony Pryer