THE TROUBADOUR AND THE NUN: MUSIC OF JOHN DOWLAND & HILDEGARD VON BINGEN - REFLECTIONS ON THE FEMININE MYSTERY FROM THE MIDDLE AGES TO THE RENAISSANCE: Evelyn Tubb, Michael Fields,David Hatcher

This collection is an essay on the contrasts and similarities between devotional music and poetry directed to both human (secular) women, and - perhaps more importantly - immortal, sacred and philosophical aspects of the feminine principal. Four songs on this CD are praises and prayers directed to the Virgin Mary; another song addresses "The Lady Philosophy" - who is not a mortal woman, but the emblem of wisdom in its feminine version, like "Sophia". Two other songs celebrate purity (i.e. virginity) and unattainability in a mortal woman. This is also a concert programme which has been and will be performed widely in many countries, to audiences who are eagerly awaiting the release of this CD. Evelyn Tubbis one of the outstanding sopranos of her generation, widely admired for her innovative performances. She performed around the world - with the Consort of Musicke and other leading vocal ensembles, and in her partnerships with Michael Fields and Anthony Rooley. Her love for music mixed with drama has led to her performing works ranging from Hildegard of Bingen’s Ordo Virtutum, through Baroque opera, to recent pieces by Peter Maxwell Davies and David Bedford. Evelyn is a professor of singing at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis in Switzerland. Michael Fieldsplayed folk, rock and jazz in California and Australia, before moving to England to study classical guitar and lute. He has worked with Evelyn since they met at the Guildhall School of Music. He directs the ensemble, Vox Animae, whose recording of Ordo Virtutum by Hildegard of Bingen has received international acclaim. As a gamba player, David Hatcher has performed with his own chamber ensemble, Harmonie Universelle and with the Consort of Musicke and Fretwork. From 1987 to 1996 he lived in Japan, taking part in that country’s thriving early music scene. This trio forms the core of the ensemble Sprezzatura.

The Troubadour and the Nun
Songs of devotion to the divine and worldly aspects of the feminine mystery from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance
1 Reis Glorios 08:30
artists: 'Evelyn Tubb' 'Michael Fields' 'David Hatcher'
composers: 'Giraut de Bornelh (1162-1199)'
2 Ave generosa 05:43
artists: 'Evelyn Tubb' 'Michael Fields' 'David Hatcher'
composers: 'Hildegard von Bingen (1098-1179)'
3 A chantar m’er de so qu’eu non volria 05:37
artists: 'Evelyn Tubb' 'Michael Fields' 'David Hatcher'
composers: 'Comtessa de Dia (early 13th century)'
4 O clarissima mater 08:07
artists: 'Evelyn Tubb' 'Michael Fields' 'David Hatcher'
composers: 'Hildegard von Bingen (1098-1179)'
5 Lamento di Tristano/La Rota (instrumental) 04:12
artists: 'Evelyn Tubb' 'Michael Fields' 'David Hatcher'
composers: ' Anonymus'
6 O viridissima virga 04:47
artists: 'Evelyn Tubb' 'Michael Fields' 'David Hatcher'
composers: 'Hildegard von Bingen (1098-1179)'
7 Can vei la lauzeta mover (Canso) 06:36
artists: 'Evelyn Tubb' 'Michael Fields' 'David Hatcher'
composers: 'Bernart de Ventadorn (c.1130-1190)'
8 Bryd one brere 04:13
artists: 'Evelyn Tubb' 'Michael Fields' 'David Hatcher'
composers: ' Anonymus'
9 Edi be thu, heven-queene 03:40
artists: 'Evelyn Tubb' 'Michael Fields' 'David Hatcher'
composers: ' Anonymus'
10 Sweet, stay a while 04:05
artists: 'Evelyn Tubb' 'Michael Fields' 'David Hatcher'
composers: 'John Dowland (1562-1626)'
11 I saw my lady weep 05:34
artists: 'Evelyn Tubb' 'Michael Fields' 'David Hatcher'
composers: 'John Dowland (1562-1626)'
12 Like hermit poor 04:53
artists: 'Evelyn Tubb' 'Michael Fields' 'David Hatcher'
composers: 'Nicolas Lanier (1588-1666)'
13 Death 05:25
artists: 'Evelyn Tubb' 'Michael Fields' 'David Hatcher'
composers: 'Tobias Hume (c.1569-1645)'
14 The Given Heart 03:29
artists: 'Evelyn Tubb' 'Michael Fields' 'David Hatcher'
composers: 'William King (1676-1728)'
15 Melancholy galliard 02:29
artists: 'Evelyn Tubb' 'Michael Fields' 'David Hatcher'
composers: 'John Dowland (1562-1626)'
16 Have you seen but a white lily grow? 02:04
artists: 'Evelyn Tubb' 'Michael Fields' 'David Hatcher'
composers: 'Robert Johnson (1583-1633)'