CANTIGA: Once Upon a Time: Music of Innocence and Enchantment

Cantiga

Once Upon a Time: Music of Innocence and Enchantment

© 1995 Cantiga (759371100122)

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North America's quintessential Renaissance Festival Band. Childlike and haunting, these ancient Celtic and Medieval tunes weave a spell both soulful and ethereal.

notes

CANTIGA's unique and magical music has delighted visitors to Renaissance Festivals across North America for almost thirty years. The band has a devoted following across North America and has been called the "Quintessential Renaissance Festival Band". Cantiga's 1995 album "Once Upon a Time..." is loved by thousands for its childlike simplicity and the haunting blend of Celtic and Medieval melodies which truly evoke a magical realm. Cantiga's music should strike a familiar chord with anyone who loves Tolkein's "Lord of the Rings".

Nominated as best Celtic Intrumental Album in the 2006 Just Plain Folks Music Awards.


Critical praise garnered for CANTIGA's "Once Upon a Time"

"I casually picked up this album at the local Borders and was amazed. Cantiga, the instrumentalists from The New World Renaissance Band, have put together, from sources as disparate as Irish folk music and the Italian Renaissance, an enchanting collection of songs that could be the sound track for a magical ballet. The music is soothing enough to be background music, yet complex enough to bear careful listening. The music is thoroughly delightful and skilfully played on modern instruments with a sensitivity rarely found in today's early music ensembles. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED" Reviewer: Eric B Henning from Laurel, MD USA(Amazon.com) RATING: FOUR AND ONE HALF STARS

"This is one of those rare, perfect albums that brings new life to early music by arranging the songs in an almost modern style. The result is that every second is filled with fresh delights. As the title implies, each selection evokes magic and enchantment. With the haunting, lyrical sound of recorders, and the driving rhythms of the percussion section, the music delivers. The songs themselves range from 13th to 18th centuries, and are drawn from Ireland, England, France and Spain.
Overall this album is A GENUINE MASTERPIECE"
Reviewer: Pawlyn ap Gryffydd Clef Notes RENNAISANCE MAGAZINE

"Herein be wonderous magic, cunning, artful, full of spirits, fit to conjure up a dream withal. This fair and silver orb abounds in delight like unto a warm and birdfilled summer dusk"--- Pat McElroy WQRS-FM Detroit MI

" I heard it playing at a birthday party I attended. It
mezmorized my children!!!" Ngozi/Uche Uwah Pompano Beach FL


"This CD has been likened to a warm summer evening by a local classical music host, but for me, the sounds are like those made by fairies, sprites and other woodland wee folk. Stand where the forest river meets the sea, and you will hear the sound of a sailor's hornpipe carry across the water. Walk back in the forest a while, and you'll hear gypsies, wizards, Kings and warriors. Listen! Don't the harp and the fife remind you a little of birds, singing a joyous refrain? And the cello, a bit like the sound of your footfalls on the forest path? Isn't that running water from the nearby brook? Oh, #@*& !, I've let the bathtub run over. Gotta go. And, if you truly enjoy sounds with a magical blend of Celtic, Spanish and French overtones, then you've gotta order this CD. Excellent energy DON"T PASS IT UP!" Reviewer: a music lover from Detroit, MI USA (Amazon.com) RATING: FIVE STARS


"This CD has such soulful and etheral melodic quality... My daughter (who's 12!) and I will frequently fall asleep listening to it! A wonderful gateway to dreamland." Reviewer: a music fan, (Amazon.com)
RATING: FIVE STARS



Other wonderful CDs by CANTIGA: "Magic Steps"
"The Otter's Pool" "Martha's Dragon"

reviews

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  • Inspiring, Artistic, Entrancing!
    author: Amy

    I found this CD in Borders on a fluke back in 1996...my daughter was 5 at the time and this music inspired the artist in us to create an entire bedroom of woodland sprites and faeries based on listening to this CD repeatedly! My daughter was speechless...even today I feel very free when I listen to it!

  • This CD will transport you to another, more magical time.
    author: Mr. Knoch

    Cantiga has captured magic with this CD. Not only is the music great but the interpretation is both fresh and timeless. If you would like to transform your world, get it now.

  • early music meets chamber music
    author: soham fuller

    picked up Cantiga particularly for Max Dyer's cello voice. this cd blends the joyful energy of early music (think Ren fest music) and the full sweet sounds of chamber music.you are sure to be humming "the Well of Enchantment" long after it has finished.

  • I liked it enough to buy another copy as a gift

    I bought a copy at a Renaissance Faire some years ago. It is one of the CDs I play when I want to relax. I like it so much that I bought another copy as a gift for a friend

  • Splendid music with a real verve
    author: Frank Dutton

    I first heard tracks from this album on Folk Alley and I was immedialtly struck by the verve with which Cantiga play. The whistle playing is a particular delight as I am learning to play the whistle myself. The Munster Star (An enchanment of faeries) is a particular favourite and to hear Cantiga play it in their style adds to a nice traditional tune. Just wish they could tour in the Far East where I live and work.

  • Great! Cantiga has captured the imagination in their inspiring music.
    author: Fran

    I love the music, especially the Magick Butterfly. We recently were in British Columbia traveling through the mountains and countryside listening to your CD. The music was truly magic giving thought to a wonderous trip back to childhood.

  • author: Sue Flaks North Somerset, UK

    I love to listen to this cd whilst preparing dinner. The music is haunting and beautiful and conjures up images of an enchanted wood. It especially reminds me of a fantastic production of Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream which I saw in my early teens. It puts my schnauzer to sleep too, which has to be good!

  • author: Louise Kromm

    I listen to the cd every evening. It is a compilation of melodic and soulful instrumentals. It can sooth the tensions and frustrations of the day with its soothing reverie. I loved the e-mail confirmation and it is wonderful to know that all of Portland lovingly wished my cd baby a Bon vogage!

  • carefree harmonious and whimsical
    author: Lawrence Dujmovic

    I was driving home from work one evening, when this enchanting tune caught my attention (moonlit revels of the gypsy queene) So whilst driving, I noted the station, the time and that night begun the quest to find the author of this delightful music. Three weeks later (as no one I contacted had heard of the recording company Nightwatch) I struck gold - Cantiga. It is light hearted and has a quality of innocents, which seems to transport the listener back in time, and a pleasant journey it is. These guys have rediscoved what true music is and faithfully reproduced this CD for all. A must for any connoisseur of good music. Lawrence Dujmovic - Sydney, Australia

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