LIBER UNUSUALIS: Unrequited: Music of Guillaume De Machaut

Liber unUsualis

Unrequited: Music of Guillaume De Machaut

© 2003 Liber unUsualis (634479857324)

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"This disc might have been titled 'Machaut the Sensualist', for that's the way the singers of Liber unUsualis approach this 14th-century master's music. The effect is deeply expressive... A most impressive recording." - Gramophone

notes

Early Music (UK) August 2005
"Machaut is performed with an elegance and an intensity that transmit perfectly the combination of exquisite poise and ruthless power...Partly this has to do with the singers' outstanding blend and tuning, partly with their understanding of Machaut's long-term architectural planning, and partly with their sensitivity to the words."

Gramophone (UK) May 2004
"This disc might have been titled 'Machaut the Sensualist', for that's the way the singers of Liber unUsualis approach this 14th-century master's music. It's not so much the Boston-based a cappella trio's rich tone that creates this impression as the care with which they unfold the music's extensive and often intricately coiled melodic tendrils. The effect is deeply expressive.... Liber unUsualis imbue this music with...nobility and grace. The effect is ravishing.... A most impressive recording."

Fanfare May/June 2004
"This is a superb rendition of 12 pieces by Guillaume de Machaut and his circle, using exactly as many voices as needed without any instruments at all. One ballade, J'aim miex languir, receives its first recording, a cause for rejoicing, given this level of accomplishment.... The familiar double ballade of Andrieu in memory of Machaut receives its best recording since Ensemble P.A.N.'s of 15 years ago, improving on that excellent version by omitting its vielle and lute. Some of the remaining pieces are a distinct improvement over anything previously recorded.... The motets as a group are generally superior to anything heard in the past.... This disc has at least four unimpeachable reasons to acquire it, along with uniformly superior performances on the rest of the disc.... They have paid attention to all the current issues in performance practice, including Pythagorean tuning, linear voicing, period-specific pronunciation, and handling untexted melodic lines sensibly. Things don't get much better than this, as far as records go."

Goldberg Magazine (Spain) February 2004
"They do justice to their name. They take risks with this repertoire.... The intonation and union are perfect in this group.... The ductility [flexibility] of the two female voices was reminiscent of the intonation and precision of the members of Anonimus 4.... A perfect balance."

reviews

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  • Liber unUsualis rocks
    author: Rachel

    I heard Liber unUsualis at a conference in Victoria and was immediately charmed although I know nothing about medieval music. I rushed home and ordered their CD Unrequited and it beautifully fulfills the promise of their live performance. As an added bonus, the booklet has the words in English translation as well as the original French or Latin. Unrequited is beautiful!

  • Just what I was looking for...
    author: Beth O'Malley

    I looked everywhere for Quant en Moy, and am so delighted with the faithful rendering of this and other motets on the CD. There is no extraneous anachronistic accompaniment, and for that I am grateful--these compositions are meant to stand on their own. Thank you, Liber unUsualis! Machaut would have been proud.

  • A truly unusual accomplishment
    author: Art Leonard

    This is a truly unusual accomplishment - a CD production that is about as perfect as one can imagine. The music is performed with spirit and imagination, and great beauty of sound. This disk would be a great introduction for anybody for the 14th century's greatest composer. I hope this group will make another CD soon.

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