Granada 1013-1526

Hespèrion XXI, La Capella Reial de Catalunya, Jordi Savall

Yehuda Halevi (1075-1141), Alfonso el Sabio (1223-1284), Ibn Zuhr (1091-1161), Carlo Verardi (1414-1500), Juan del Encina (1469-1529), Ibn Zaydun (1094-1162)

Jordi Savall examines 500 years of history in this portrait of a city that symbolises like no other the fruitful, and at the same time, conflictual encounter of the three monotheistic religions. The succession of the Zirid, Almoravid, Almohad and Nasrid dynasties, their relationship with the neighbouring Christian kingdoms and the often precarious situation of the Jews (the first inhabitants of this area) are reflected in this wide musical fresco, in which each culture displays its most advanced refinement.

November 2016

As ever, Savall points up the sources’ colour, vitality, expressiveness and socio-political context in an exciting, fascinating and utterly beguiling programme … The singers are superb, displaying gorgeous timbres and honest emotional dimensions … the realisations are consistently moving and beautiful. Even the spoken texts sound mellifluous and resonant.

November/December 2016

In yet another Tardis of a disc, time-traveller extraordinare Jordi Savall packs five centuries and seven epochs of Granada’s history into a haunting, atmospheric, evocative, heart-rending, -stopping, -warming by turns melange of three medieval cultures: Arabic, Christian and Jewish … this SACD with (as ever) stunningly beautiful booklet enthrals, enchants and demands total attention.

September 2016

The celebration of musical interconnectedness is manifest in the smoothness of Savall’s programme and its execution … Heart-rending moments of beauty abound such as Manuel Forcano’s (director, Institute Ramon Llull) recitation concerning the forced conversion of the Jews in 1148.

September 2016

The music itself is packed full of discoveries and treasures which often reveal themselves through juxtaposition … The choral work is also typically excellent … In short, this is a breathtaking achievement. It’s the kind of disc that often left me in quiet astonishment not just at its ambition, artistry or skill, but at the way it tries to further the human story and enrich the experience of us all. Bravo!

3rd July 2016

Here is a fascinating range of music Islamic, Jewish and Christian, charting half a millennium of history...The performances under Savall’s direction are always evocative, and some are touching and some vibrant.

28th July 2016

A classic Jordi Savall project with Iberian cultural history lesson and loads of misty reverb attached...the performances are full of finesse and intensity...What stands out for me is the Mozarabic polyphony – vibrant, poised singing from La Capella Reial de Catalunya.

Record Review11th June 2016

imaginatively chosen, memorably performed, well documented with essays and illustrations.

Granada 1013: 1502 - Jordi Savall

Granada 1013-1526

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