I'm often amazed at the rich array of musical ensembles flourishing today in the Netherlands, especially in the Early Music scene. Ensemble Fortuna have five members; two singers (Hilde Van Ruymbeke, soprano and Christopher Kale, tenor) with three instrumentalists (Josephine Dubach, Director and recorders; Elly van Munster, lute and Jonathan Talbott, stringed instruments - on this disc a vielle with a rich throaty tone like a viola). They are all experts in their field, and are schooled in the modern scholarship of realising the often problematic deciphering of ancient MSS. The term "authentic" means little in this context, as the often scanty written performance information requires a great deal of spontaneous interpretative reaction and application of powerful musicianship.

For this disc, Fortuna choose to showcase the effect of the burgeoning Renaissance of C15th Italy on the existing musical scene of the Low Countries. This involved the melding of new styles and forms with the old, as well as the featured composer/musicians being stimulated to make innovations in performance and emotional scope of their work. Fortuna focus on secular music here, highlighting the popular French Chanson style, which spread throughout N. Europe at the time, in the form of Ballades and Rondeaux. The bulk of the ten tracks goes to Guillaume Dufay (perhaps best known for his magnificent Motets); with eight songs from him. Three tracks are from the earlier Johannes Ciconia, two each from Thomas Fabri and Francesco Landini, with the remainder from Anthonella de Caserta and the ever talented Anon.

The programme is attractively varied in instrumentation and mood. Instrumentalists use their discretion in adding tone colour to the vocal parts, in an appropriate and charming way and without excessive ornamentation drawing too much attention. Several of the tracks are given as purely instrumental versions, in others the instrumentalists alternate with the singers. The whole effect is most pleasing and natural, and gives a real feeling of an early Renaissance entertainment (as far as we can judge from this distance in time!). The singers are excellent, with beautiful voices blending well in non-operatic delivery. They each apply as much emotional inflection and ornamentation as the texts require. Pacing and rhythmic vitality varies too, with some songs offering skirling sing-along and toe-tapping tunes (often drinking songs), others melancholy, digging deep into loss or unrequited love.

The recording is quite intimate but by no means close, with an ambient bloom especially noticed if you have surround speakers. Details of instrumental timbres and overtones as well as subtle vocal effects are perfectly captured by DSD, but I noticed that the usual sharp focus on instrumental positioning in the sound stage offered by Aliud discs was not quite pin-point here. Texts are given in the booklet, with English, French and German translations depending on the original language.

A most enjoyable disc, especially for dipping into, and recommended for Early Music lovers and those wishing to start a collection of this genre.

Copyright © 2011 John Miller and HRAudio.net

Performance:

Sonics (Stereo):

Sonics (Multichannel):