ClevelandClassical
102610MignardaCDRev
CD Review
Mignarda: Harmonia Caelestis—16th Century Spanish motets for Voice and Lute
by Daniel Hathaway & Mike Telin
Vocalist Donna Stewart and lutenist Ron Andrico, who perform as the Mignarda Lutesong Duo, recently released their seventh CD, Harmonia Caelestis: 16th century Spanish Motets for Voice and Lute. Described as "an extended meditation", Harmonia Caelestis includes motets by Tomás Luis de Victoria, Miguel de Fuenllana, Francisco Guerrero, Enrique de Valderrábano, Cristóbal de Morales and Esteban López Morago as well as a pair each of Gregorian chants and lute arrangements of music by Flemish composers.In their previous recordings, Stewart and Andrico have visited the demi-mondes of the 16th century French Chanson, lute songs and solos for Advent and Christmastide, Chansons and lute music in honor of Francisco Spinacino (celebrating the 500th anniversary of the first printed book of lute music), 16th century songs to poetry attributed to Edward de Vere, the Earl of Oxford, Airs de Court from 17th century France, and (their first album) a demo recordig of Renaissance English and French music (plus an Edna St. Vincent Millay poem set by Ron Andrico).
Harmonia Caelestis takes the listener to the special, austere realm of 16th century Spain -- to a time not too long after the Spanish Inquisition, and an era when one of the hot religious topics was whether the Vatican should put its seal of approval on the doctrine of The Immaculate Conception.
There is great beauty in the starkness of these motets, which have been arranged (or as keyboardists, lutenists and guitarists refer to the process, "entabulated") from what were polyphonic works, usually for four or more voices, to works for solo voice with the quiet but eloquent accompaniment of the lute. As the liner notes point out, these arrangements deconstruct the originals to the point where the text comes through clearly, lines are made more transparent, and rhythmic nuances and articulation stand out in bolder relief.
Anyone who has any doubts about the successfulness of arranging polyphony for a single voice and plucked instrument will be convinced from the opening track of this album, Tomás Luis de Victoria's well-known (both as motet and parody mass) O magnum mysterium. Nothing seems to be missing and the piece has been transformed into something newly beautiful in the process.
As we have come to expect, Stewart and Andrico are marvelous as a team, delivering evocative and highly nuanced performances of well-chosen repertory. This soothing and centering recording, recorded in an old church in Newfield, NY, can serve as an occasion for contemplation, meditation, or just provide mesmerizing background music. One could listen to them for hours on end.
Harmonia Caelestis is dedicated to the priests and Schola of Immaculate Conception Church in Cleveland where Stewart and Andrico met and regularly sang Gregorian chant and polyphony before moving out of state. A special round of thanks in the CD leaflet goes to Frederick Lautzenheiser, music director at Immaculate Conception, and to arts patron and benefactor Russell Rucky.
Mignarda will celebrate the release of Harmonia Caelestis with a concert on Friday, October 29 at 8 pm at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in South Euclid. See the Concert Listings for details. The CD will be available at the concert and also from Mignarda's website.
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