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More of the Earliest European MusicFor those who love the melodies and harmonies of ages past.
This section contains the very earliest surviving music from Western European civilization. Although difficult to locate, we have searched long and hard to offer a broad and varied selection of ancient music. We've tried to find recordings made using the original compositions rather than modern arrangements, and using period musical instruments like those for which the music was written, rather than modern instruments. Some of the remaining music is fragmented into short songs, some is complete. Many of the oldest extant pieces are fragmented poems and some reworked composition has been necessary to ensure continuity. Totally original music before A.D. 1000 is a rarity, especially outside the Catholic church. The music that remains to us is a precious historical illumination of the cultures and thoughts that created and enjoyed it. Whether 9th century Gregorian chants from the time of Charlemagne or Courtly love "chansons" from the Crusader age, these CDs were selected for their high quality authentic re-creations of that original music from |
Welcome to AGES PAST HISTORY SHOP, "Where History Lives!" We hope you will enjoy our newest offerings of 'Early Music'. On these pages you will find the oldest and most varied early European music, selected to please any history lover. By clicking on the links you can listen to samples of various songs from each selection. This is very helpful to anyone who wants to select music, but especially so here, where many of these songs and styles will be unfamiliar to the modern listener. So please sit back and immerse yourself in the wonderfully harmonious sounds of Ages Past.
Click on link to hear an audio clip. To listen to song samples you'll need a RealAudio player.
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Composed By Anonymous, Thibault IV, King of Navarre, and others. Performed By Huelgas.
Sacred Music of Medieval France:
Compact Discs - 2 CDs Unabridged. Listen on your commute to a fantastic and old tale. The inescapability of death and the transience of all things permeates it from its first lines to its conclusion. The work of a culture deeply concerned with these issues--extraordinary translation-- gripping and racy, startingly contemporary.--a faithful rendering that is simultaneously an original and gripping poem in its own right--compelling and instantly mesmerizing. A major literary accomplishment that may indeed make poetry mainstream again.
Traditional Celtic performed by the Chieftans.
Some of the most delectably written and produced Celtic-themed instrumental music ever recorded by anybody. "Equos Fair" starts off with a spirited quotation of original and traditional themes on pipes, tin whistle harp, guitar, and drums, with horns -- this is memorable, alternately exciting and soothing, and one of the most worthwhile releases in the Windham Hill catalog.
Perotin (1200's), King Alfonso X of Castile and Leon (1252) and other composers.
Classical Evolution: Famous Gregorian Chants:
A Concert Of Early Music:
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Performed By Sinfonye with Stevie Wishart. Very old music by anonymous composers and Beatriz de Dia and Richard De Fournival, a little-known composer.
Includes works of Wizlâv III von Rügen - rarely heard. Temporarily Out of Stock but usually Available in 1-2 weeks. Place your order for this title and we will inform you when it arrives.
Fun, folksy, wonderfully arranged music! Ensemble Unicorn and Ensemble Oni Wytars join together to bring the music of medieval French troubadours to life. If you like this recording, you’ll also like the other joint release by Ensemble Unicorn and Oni Wytars, “On the Way to Bethlehem: Music of the Medieval Pilgrim”.
The Fairy Dance, Willie Winkie, The Beggar, Girls, Have You Seen George?, The Pretty Maid Milking Her Cow, The Fidler's Contempt, Wild Geese, The Old Woman's Hornpipe, Catty Magee, The Pigot Jig and other lusty tunes!
The Courts of Love:
Chastelain de Couci, Guillaume le Vinier, Guiot de Dijon and other very early composers.
Steve McDonald's spectacular collection inspired by Somerled, the 12th century Scottish warlord who expelled the Vikings and whose sons founded the mighty Clan MacDonald. Fifteen wonderful tracks. Total running time 64 minutes.
I Sing of a Maiden: A Mosaic of Motets to the Virgin Mary:
Performed by Capella Gregoriana.
The Second Circle: Love Songs of Francesco Landini:
Troubadours, Trouvères, Minstrels:
Sung by Studio der frühen Musik.
Lovely songs by numerous little-known composers as well as the famous music of Monteverdi and Frescobaldi.
Century Classics I, 1000-1400:
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Machaut: Messe de Notre Dame:
Celtic Book of Days:
Music of the Gothic Era:
Perceval: la quête du Graal (The Quest for the Grail) Vol.1:
Perceval: The Quest for the Grail, Vol. 2:
Montsegur: La Tragedie Cathare:
Perotin:
Bella Domna: The Medieval Woman:
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