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 Rolf Lislevand
Nuove musiche (ECM/Universal Classics, 2006)
Rolf Lislevand's
Nuove musiche (music of 17th century Italy adapted and arranged by
Lislevand), grabs listeners from the get-go. The opener, and what an opener,
Arpeggiata addio starts with a weave of baroque instruments and takes off when
Spanish soprano Arianna Savall's vocals soar into the stratosphere.
It's very difficult to keep one's feet on the ground while listening to this
track because the soul too wishes to soar along with the passionate musicians.
And soon, we are whisked off to Andalusia with the third track, Passacaglia
andaluz which features flamenco-style lute. And with each passing song, hailing
from a distant shore, 17th century, Italy, we are immersed not in how the
Camerata Fiorentina, (a revolutionary group of scholars, artists and
philosophers that invented this new music), but in the minds of a 20th century
Norwegian lute player and composer, Rolf Lislevand.
Lislevand delves into the philosophy of the Camerata Fiorentina and their vision
of a new music that at its time was a reaction to polyphony, which he
thoughtfully provides in the liner notes. "In the wake of this new
inspiration, brilliant composers such as Monteverdi, Frescobaldi, Caccini,
Kapsberger, Piccinini, Pellegrini and Gianoncelli created extraordinary
compositions and performance scripts in a completely new and different style."
Lislevand along with the six early music performers who join him on his journey
re-interpret the works of the above mentioned composers as well as, exploring
The Margaret Board Lute Book and the work of 16th century Spanish composer, Luys
de Narvaez. The musicians perform these ancient classics on period instruments
which include, nyckelharpa (from Sweden), clavichord, triple harp, voice,
chitarra battente, archlute, baroque guitar, theorboe, double bass, colascione
and percussion. But these songs are interpreted for a 21st century sensibility
and recorded with modern technology. The results might be shocking to
Early Music conservatives, but so would have Camerata Fiorentina's ideas in
their respective era. The beauty of this music overpowers any philosophy
associated with Early Music, period instruments or artist's interpretations.
The musicians which include, Lislevand on archlute, baroque guitar and theorboe,
Arianna Savall on triple harp and vocals, Pedro Estevan who provides the
shimmer, rattle and bell sounds via percussion, Bjorn Kjellemyr on double bass
and colascione, Guido Morini on organ and clavichord, Marco Ambrosini on
nyckelharpa, and Thor-Harald Johnsen on chittara battente bring this centuries
old music alive.
This new music leaps out of the stereo and entices its listeners. No one will
think the same way about period music ever again.
Nuove musiche secures its roots deep into a fertile ground while
sending its leafy branches up into the heavens. It is inspired music by some of
the finest Early Music players around and it should not be missed.
Compliments of Cranky Crow World Music
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