Diáspora Sefardí

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Editorial reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review
Jordi Savall, Monterrat Figuras and Hespérion XXI pioneered the revival of early Spanish repertoire more than two decades ago, releasing classic recordings such as Secular Music from Christian and Jewish Spain. Their experience reaps tremendous dividends with the two-CD set Diáspora Sefardí. This is music of the Sefardim, the Spanish Jews exiled in 1492, but extends beyond the expected repertoire to include later music from those who settled as far away as Rhodes, Sofía and Sarajevo. The first disc is a programme of romances, Montserrat Figueras giving deeply impassioned performances pitched between heartrending elegy and searing eroticism. Compared to the cool perfection of the version by Florata on Magnificentia Iberica, El Rey de Fancia comes alive with an earthy engagement which rivets the attention, while an epic of betrayal, Nani, Nani, harnesses monumental emotional intensity. Throughout, the playing is superb, but inevitably the musicians really come into their own on the second CD, a set of instrumentals and improvisations, including the slow-burning rapture of Axerico. Here is 130 minutes of incredibly evocative, primal music with the potential to go way beyond the early music market and become a huge hit with followers of folk, world, jazz and perhaps even rock. Quite simply, a great recording. --Gary S Dalkin

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Customer reviews

review by: date: 2005-08-28 rating:
Fabulous music - but what is it?
This is a strange and rather wonderful pair of CDs. The first consists of Sephardic songs in Spanish, the second in instrumental renditions of Sephardic songs, including some improvised performances based on some of the same songs. The CD notes are almost impenetrable in all the many languages they're printed in, thoroughly failing to explain where this wonderful music comes from. So, yes, I love it: it's great to listen to, the musicianship (as you'd expect) is terrific, and the whole is a wonderfully atmospheric evocation of east European/Jewish/Spanish cultures... but I still don't really know what it is I'm listening to, and if you care about such things, that is deeply frustrating. Buy it and be delighted and a bit puzzled.

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review by: date: 2004-02-04 rating:
Music to suit your mood
What's your mood?

If you want some esoteric and atmospheric "mood" music of the 15th century Jewish European diaspora, then play the instrumental disk. If you want to hear Montserrat Figueras' almost unearthly soprano singing a variety of Jewish songs of the same period, play the "Romances".

As usual, these CDs are accompanied by a booklet which introduces the music and provides a translation of all the songs in major European languages and Hebrew.

Good value for Hesperion XXI fans.

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review by: date: 2002-12-31 rating:
One of the very best ancient music recordings ever...
This is without doubt one of the very best recordings of Jordi Savall. This music has a such a sense of evidence that even casual classic music listeners, and any public in fact, will love it...and a discotheque cornerstone for more serious addicts of music on ancient instruments.

ps..also a fantastic gift - 100% satisfaction rate most likely


review by: date: 2001-07-23 rating:
An exquisite collection of early music.
Having only listened to a couple of tracks and depending on some very persuasive reviews I wasn't absolutely sure what this CD would hold in store for me but I was intrigued by its rather exotic description. It way surpassed all expectations - a thoroughly wonderful experience! The group explores a musical area both ancient and esoteric. The instrumental 'cast' is exotic, full of sensual sounds from a passionate people, while Figueras' singing complements it beautifully with a performance that is very moving, often recalling the pain of this ostracised race. Every aspect of this collection is perfect - production, performance, and the choice of music itself. Buy it - it's exquisite!

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