Look at the 14th Century portrait of this gentleman...
Herr von Wolkenstein was a member of South Tyrol rural aristocracy... a bard and a traveller, his broad journeys led him from Syria to Turkey to Burgundy and beyond...
Look at his eyes, so well captured on the painting... these eyes saw the world and learned a lot!
His Lieder (songs) talk about these travels, and about love as most of songs of any vintage do...
... I already had a disc on EMI Reflexe series and appreciated the melodies and instruments blend: lute, hand drums, bells, recorder and voices...
The EMI's was a great disc of great music... BUT this very disc is of another league: Othmar Costa's ensemble is masterfully recorded with a sense of playful joyousness.
The tenor and baritone voices are amazing, carved in space, surrounded and embroidered by historic instruments well serving music.
Superb, seldom heard music, sounding both ancient and brand-new.
This AW-Telefunken sound is recorded with one of a kind skill, as well... it's one of the humble super-discs you dream to find in any second-hand records-bin.
If you find in brand-new conditions for a coffee-tip at a flea-market, well... it's an
epiphany!
As usual, I invite every serious music lover to search and find this very wax...
OK, ok... you're welcome.
