L'arbre De Jesse: Vellard / Ensemble Gilles Binchois

L'ARBRE DE JESSE
Gregorian chant and medieval polyphony

01 Vox in Rama
02 Benedictus es
03 Cantemus Domino
04 Submersus jacet Pharao
05 Balaam inquit
06 Alleluia In exitu Israel
07 Vir erat
08 Salve mater
09 Peccavimus
10 Lectio Jona propheta cum cantico
11 Qui pro nobis
12 Rex Salomon
13 Sequencia sancti evangelii secundum Lucam
14 Stirps Jesse florigeram

Ensemble Gilles Binchois
　Anne Delafosse, soprano
　Anne-Marie Lablaude, soprano
　Gerd Turk, tenor
　Dominique Vellard, tenor and direction
　Josep Cabre, baritone

Recorded at Eglise de Mont-Saint-Vincent, France, in June and July 2008
Engineered by Robert Verguet
Mastered by Pierre de Champs
Produced by Etienne Meyer
Executive producer: Carlos Cester
Design: Valentin Iglesias
Booklet essay: Marie-Noel Colette
English Francais Deutsch Espanol

With a rich display of medieval polyphonic works and Gregorian chant illustrating the theme of the Tree of Jesse, Dominique Vellard and the Ensemble Gilles Binchois turn their attention to biblical texts with a clarity that calls to mind the intricacy of illuminated manuscripts, the vitality of stained-glass windows and the bold colours of both. Brought to life here are stories of characters from the Bible such as Job, Jonah, Solomon, Rachel, Balaam and Moses alongside the New Testament genealogy of Christ, the recording made in a beautiful church in the South of Burgundy.

Dominique Vellard's own vocal prowess, steeped in oral as well as written traditions from both East and West shines out anew in a much-awaited recording set to delight the legion of fans of the Ensemble Gilles Binchois. The redoubled enthusiasm and energy of the Ensemble Gilles Binchois, so audible on L'Arbre de Jesse, along with the group's exploration of the beauty and naturalness of sound are set to form a highlight of Glossa's releases over coming years with promised forays into the early Baroque and the great polyphony of the 16th century. ( Glossa )