My only real complaint about this disc is that unless you already happen to have heard of the UK-based medieval music ensemble Joglaresa, the CD’s outer packaging gives you almost no clue as to the nature of the performances within. You will have no idea, for instance, that this very fine group (“well-established” according to the liner notes inside) consists of four women vocalists (who are very skilled at improvising and creating a myriad of styles and vocal colors to suit the particular song), accompanied by two first-rate instrumentalists who offer the unique and characterful voices of medieval fiddle, harps, and hurdy-gurdy.
And if you haven’t heard this group before, even a glance at the list of 24 musical selections–chants, hymns, songs, lauds–won’t prepare you for the amazing interpretive variety and near-theatrical enthusiasm these performers employ to enliven this repertoire, which we’re used to hearing in more pure, refined treatments. But Joglaresa adds lots of little improvisatory ornaments–many obviously influenced by Middle Eastern/North African styles–and uses many different vocal/instrumental combinations to sustain our interest.
As they move from one song to the next (and the programming order is very intelligently thought-out) you really get a sense of travelling, not only through time, but through different parts of the ancient Christian world, everywhere that the stories and legends of Mary Magdalen were told and sung. We hear the kind of pure, clear sound typical of Anonymous 4 or Trio Mediaeval (Ave, clari generis dulcis Magdalena), and just as quickly we’re transported to a cruder, more earthy rendition of a 14th century Italian lauda (O Madalena ch’andasti al sepulcro), and then to a beautiful trouvére love song (“Chanter voel par grant amour”). Each singer has a recognizable, distinctive timbre and all these musicians know how to use that uniqueness to enhance the different expressive characteristics of the songs. The sound is open and vibrant, natural and clear. Now that I’ve somewhat de-mystified the contents of this CD, serious early-music fans, you know what you have to do. [10/4/2003]
