Sublime Porte: Voix D'istanbul 1400-1800

I am an enthusiastic fan of Jordi Savalle and Monsert Figueras. I have several recordings by both artists. They never fail to thrill me. I am a particularly fond of early music. Figueras' vocals are outstanding whether she is singing in French, Cataln, Spanish or Arabic. Savalle's accompaniment on the viola de gamba completes the pairing of two outsanding artists. I have listened to this recording a number of times and it never fails to please me. That special sound between the establishment of true Western sound and the exotic sounds of the middle are blended together beautifully in this work.

Interesting CD that introduced me to Ottoman music, something I knew nothing about. The linear notes are very helpful

Amazing selection of music from Ottoman Turkey - new instruments, new sounds , new melodies that sound surprisingly contemporary. CD comes with big booklet ( in 5 languages) with excellent explanation of history, music, composers and lyrics translation.

sublime!

I love Montsserat Figueras and have all her CDs. When I saw this one, I ordered it thinking I would like to hear her exploring music in a different direction. Alas, she sings only one song of the 16 that comprise the CD, Punxa, punxa, a Sefardic song from Istanbul. Beautiful, as always, and I'm glad to hear it. The rest of the CD is all Turkish music, completely new to me. I'm enjoying it, but it's just not what I hoped to hear (more of Montsserat!). The liner notes, in seven languages, are detailed and essential for understanding this music. Jordi Savall plays in several of the songs, on the lira d'arc. I had to look it up. It's the Byzantine lyra, a lovely sound. If you're looking to explore Ottoman music, at the intersection of East and West, you will give this CD 5 stars. If you are looking for Montsserat Figueras, maybe not so much.

I will be buying more copies of this excellent album for close friends.The variety of beguiling music is making this one of my most played albums.Thank you.

Montserrat Figueras García was born in March 1942, in Barcelona, Catalonia. I had no idea, until her tragic death of cancer in November of 2011, that she was just a few months younger than I am. She always seemed sensuously youthful, both in person and through her voice. I can't imagine not being able to hear ever new experiments and expansions of the concept of Early Music from her. The world is poorer.In 1974 Figueras and her husband Jordi Savall formed Hespèrion XX, which quickly became on the the world's most popular early music ensembles. Jordi Savall rocketed to stardom after the release of the film Tous Les Matins Du Monde, a depiction of the French Baroque composer and viol da gamba virtupso Marin Marais. It was Savall's exquisite gamba playing in the soundtrack of that film which introduced most of "our" generation to that instrument. Figueras and Savall 'modernized' their ensemble as Hespèrion XXI, but they also diversified the repertoire enormously, creatively, fearlessly. Montserrat had always been deeply attracted to Sephardic and - for want of a better term - Hispano-Muslim music, for which her voice was superbly suited. She, Jordi, and their daughter Arianna recorded together in more recent years, including "modern" compositions and improvisations based on Early Music sensibilities and structures.This recording will certainly push the expectations of long-time Hesperion XX fans. It's not more of the same; it's really Turkish. The performers include some of the most skilled performers of traditional Turkish music in combination with European-trained musicians. But it's also something other than 'modern' Turkish popular or traditional music. Luckily there are samples, so that you can decide for yourself whether you have a taste for exotic musical time travel.Requiescat in pace, dilectissime vox.

If I don't give things five stars, you hassle me. I've been to Istanbul so I thought it would be interesting to get some "Classical Turkish music as a nice memento. Delivery was prompt. Thanks,

great

Very good music and excellent service.

magnifique comme tout ce que produit Jordi Savall qui, je l'espere sera retenu dans l'histoire comme quelqu'un qui non seulement fait tout un travail de recuperation et de valorisation de la musique ancienne mais aussi etablit des ponts entre les continents et les pays par le biais de la musique. Rien de plus courageux dans cette epoque plus que troublee. Merci a Jordi Savall pour cela.

musica que trasciende el tiempo

No me canso de escucharlo. Lo compré por amor absoluto al disco Istambul de Jordi Savall, y se lo recomendaría a cualquiera que le guste la música árabe.