The body of Medieval music consists of a great number of rather short vocal and instrumental pieces, a great many by unknown composers, often in rather different styles, and all open to interpretation. For this reason, I found it far too combersome to organize them myself. I have, instead, selected whole CDs by groups expert at that sort of organization, and able to maintain consistency in instrumentation.
| Disk-1 | Cantigas: Silk and Spice
Various pieces from along the Silk Road, mostly from about 1250 to the official end of the Medieval era in 1399. Lute, Rebec, Recorder, Vielle, Hurdy-gurdy, Oud and Percussion. | |
| Disk-2 | La Maurache: Songs and Dances from the time of the
Cathedrals
Various pieces from about 1220 CE to the end of the Medieval era in 1399. | |
| Disk-3 | Bartholomew Faire: The Red Book of Montserrot
This is a set of devotional songs and dances to be performed by pilgrims visiting the Black Madonna of Montserrot, not church choirs. Consequently the pieces are relatively simple and rhythmic. The songs, in Catalan, Latin and Occitan, were set down in 1399, at the very end of the Medieval era, but most are stylistically much older. | |
| Disk-4 | Dr. Judith Cohen: Monofonias Medievales
While Dr. Cohen is a noted specialist in Sephardic music, her expertise extends over Medieval music in general. The pieces on this CD are from Italy, France and Spain. Altramar: From Galaway to Galicia Celtic music from the Medieval age. | |
| Disk-5 | Grupo Cinco Siglos: Bel Fiore Dança
Instrumental music from about 1390. |