In the 16th and 17th centuries, the city of Ã‰vora was one of the most important center of Portuguese polyphony. The so-called "Portuguese school" developed at the city's Gothic cathedral, from which many important musicians emerged who also worked in Spain and in the colonies of the New World. The cathedral archives, which contain numerous musical treasures, bear eloquent witness to this. Rogerio GonÃ§alves and A Corte Musical have recorded a selection of sacred and secular villancicos from this source on album. A colourful instrumental accompaniment, including Spanish harp and guitar, strings and percussion, forms the foundation on which the four singers present this stirring music. The Villancico was originally a polyphonic Spanish song with a secular subject, but it was soon adopted into the Christian liturgy and frequently used on high feasts or other religious holidays. The Ã‰vora archives contain villancicos with Spanish but also with Portuguese texts, which is a rarity. The alternation between vocal and instrumental music and the contrast between secular and sacred works shows very well the cultural versatility, individuality and expressivity of Portuguese music of the (early) Baroque.

Tracklist:

Ponteio Barroco
Amante Deus
A La Villa Voy
Ameaças O Morrer
Mas No Ay Que Admirar
Lundú Da Corte
O Que Assombro
Ya Las Sombras De La Noche
Dime Como He De Portarme
Eu E Vós, Meu Doce Emprego
Pavana
Sentada Ao Pé De Hum Rochedo
Suspenda Toda A Armonia

UPC: 8424562800304
Label: Glossa
Release Date: 8.20.21
Format: CD

Various Artists - Villancicos de Portugal (CD)