For this recording, a tenor lute (in nominal E tuning) was specially adapted for plectrum playing and used as a bass instrument to cover the low contratenor bassus voice range.
Composition History
This album features 12 chansons whose existence was unknown until 2015, when they were discovered in a previously unknown manuscript called the Leuven Chansonnier.
Performer Biography
Marc Lewon, the director of Ensemble Leones, is an expert in Early Music specializing in lute family instruments and holds a doctorate in music from the University of Oxford.
Historical Context
The Leuven Chansonnier, a 15th-century parchment manuscript, is now housed at the Alamire Foundation's headquarters in Park Abbey, Leuven, Belgium, after its discovery in 2015.
Compositional Technique
The Leuven Chansonnier, a 15th-century manuscript, is unusual because it does not name the composers for the songs it contains, a detail atypical for music manuscripts of that period.
Interpretation
Ensemble Leones, directed by Marc Lewon, presents a range of performance possibilities on this album, from a cappella to mixed voices and instruments, and doubling of voices with instruments.
Cultural Impact
Walter Frye's motet 'Ave regina celorum' was the most popular work of the entire 15th century and is depicted in Flemish paintings with angels singing from its score.
You might also enjoy...
Paolo da Firenze: Narcisso Speculando
Scarborough Fair - Songs from the British Isles
Johannes Ockeghem: Complete Songs, vol. 2
Ockeghem: Secular Music
Ockeghem: Missa "De Plus en Plus"; Chansons
Janequin: La chasse
Musik der Hansestädte Vol. 3 - Musik aus dem alten Magdeburg
