I can answer that question, but I don't know if it will be helpful. Just as if you asked, "Who are your favorite artists who sang in the late 20th century?" you might end up with a collection that included some very different kinds of music -- my own list might include Frank Sinatra, Motorhead, Luciano Pavarotti, and David Allen Coe. You might find the list unhelpful depending on what you like yourself.
My tastes in early music are similarly broad. It would probably be useful if I could break them down for you somehow into genres (or at least time periods -- the Folger Consort and the Baltimore Consort have similar names, but tend to cover widely different time periods and places). However, I don't really have time to do that. So, you'll just have to listen to a lot of it and decide what you like.
I'm curious. What are your favorite medieval music groups and CDs?
ReplyDeleteI can answer that question, but I don't know if it will be helpful. Just as if you asked, "Who are your favorite artists who sang in the late 20th century?" you might end up with a collection that included some very different kinds of music -- my own list might include Frank Sinatra, Motorhead, Luciano Pavarotti, and David Allen Coe. You might find the list unhelpful depending on what you like yourself.
ReplyDeleteMy tastes in early music are similarly broad. It would probably be useful if I could break them down for you somehow into genres (or at least time periods -- the Folger Consort and the Baltimore Consort have similar names, but tend to cover widely different time periods and places). However, I don't really have time to do that. So, you'll just have to listen to a lot of it and decide what you like.
Roughly, then:
ReplyDeleteAltramar (good medieval music, with an aesthetic that runs to moderate tempo music)
Atrium Musicae (instrumental period music)
Baltimore Consort (chiefly early modern and British Renaissance)
Early Music Consort of London
Jordi Savall (also his group, Hesperon XX and XXI -- they are very good, often handling Spanish medieval stuff in a solid way)
La Nef (somewhat experimental at times, but in ancient style)
Martin Best Consort (he has his moments, anyway)
New London Consort (they sound very much like chamber music, rather than a street or pub sound)
Oni Wytars Ensemble (these guys have a huge, rollicking sound)
Unicorn Ensemble
Allan Alexander is an honorable mention. He is very good, but a solo performer who is mostly trying to sell lessons rather than music. Still!
Sarah Marie Mullen is a great harper, although she only sometimes does medieval music.
And Gregorian chant is a separate category that deserves a fuller listing than I have time to engage.
Thanks! That gives me a great place to start exploring.
ReplyDelete