Christ Church Cathedral
Artists: Ensemble Diabolus in Musica
During the 12th century, as the famous historian, Georges Duby said, “a new springtime of the world blossomed, on the old Latin stock.” The unchanging social order which prevailed before the year 1000 was now jostled by the feudal system. In southern France castles and monasteries were built, far from the declining influence of the king or the pope. Painting, sculpture, architecture, and music celebrated the beauty of the world in a new way.
In the same regions and exactly at the same time, Roman art flourished and new chants were being created in the generous acoustics of these new basilicas and chapels. In the domains of the great Saint-Martial de Limoges abbey notably, polyphony birthed its first audacious and jubilant elaborations, and the first notated secular songs of France were being created by the troubadours who celebrated courtly love.
Diabolus in Musica is a French medieval music ensemble founded in Paris in 1992. Now under the direction of Nicolas Sansarlat, the ensemble continues to programme rediscovered Medieval works alongside the richness of the well-known musical works by the Troubadours, Trouvères and the Notre Dame School.
This concert is generously supported by Elaine Adair & Agnes Hohn.
PROGRAMME
Benedicamus domino umane prolis, versus for two voices
Pax in nomine domini, chanson by Marcabru
La dousa votz ai auzida, chanson by Bernard de Ventadour
Can l’erba fresch’, chanson by Bernard de Ventadour
Flore vernans, versus for two voices
No posc sofrir c’a la dolor, chanson by Guiraut de Bornelh
Estampida, anonymous
Res jocosa, versus for two voices
Reis gloriós verais lums e clartats, chanson by Guiraut de Bornelh
Chasuts sui de mal en pena, chanson by Bertran de Born
Quan lo rius de la fontana, chanson de Jaufré Rudel
Gregis pastor, versus for two voices
Estampie royale, anonymous
Je muir je muir, rondel by Adam de la Halle
Nicholais presulis, conduit for three voices
Or entre mais e la sesons, anonymous
PROGRAMME NOTES
Diabolus in Musica
Since 1992, Diabolus in Musica has been dedicating itself to the study and the interpretation of all medieval musics, from the Gregorian chant up to the great polyphonies of the 15th century, with a preference for French 12th and 13th centuries.
Basing its work on musical and historic research, the ensemble directly works on manuscript sources and focuses on unpublished works and repertoires. At the rate of 2 to 3 creations each year, Diabolus in Musica has built up a wide range of secular and sacred music programs, in all the musical styles of this time. Our programs always approach the middle Ages in an original way, placing the music in its historical and artistic and social context, thanks to deep reserches on the medieval mentality and sensitivity. Concerts and Cds are now following each other, and the ensemble is internationally acknowledged.
Based in Tours since its creation, Diabolus in Musica has been invited in many prestigious festivals and concert halls in France (Ambronay, Saintes, Royaumont, Fontevraud, Cité de la Musique…) and abroad (Oude Muziek Utrecht, Mexico City, Music before 1800 (NYC)…), and is now recording for the label Aeon.
Our discography has been greatly singularised and praised by French and international awards (Diapason d’Or de l’année 1999 et 2004, Choc du Monde de la Musique, ffff de Télérama, 10 de Répertoire, 5* de Classica, 5* de Goldberg…). Critics particularly highlight its strong personality and innovative interpretations.
Nicolas Sansarlat, dir.
With his rich musical studies and artistic adventures, Nicolas Sansarlat flourished in early music through the practice of many instruments. He runs through the songs of a music that questions the past and the present, where the unwritten and the written merge to bring out the intelligence and the musical gesture. It is with great humility and happiness that he receives the keys of the Diabolus in Musica ensemble to continue sharing music intended for elevation, understanding and emotion.