GiGiMusicMedRen

G i G i's W orld of M usic Classical/Medieval/Renassaince Irish Hawaiian Indian/Middle Eastern Spiritual

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GiGi's World of Music
Classical / Medieval / Renassiance

For as long as I can remember, I have always felt at home with Classical, Medieval and Renassiance Music.
Pretty odd for someone who was born & raised in Hawai'i, isn't it?

While my friends were listening to the nation's top 40 or Hawai'i's top 40 (and I did too), I yearned to hear the lute, harpsichord, flute and other period instuments to
fill my senses.

I was a "closet" classical/medieval/
renassaince music person.

I remember purchasing my first Medieval album in 1979...vinyl 33-1/3 LP! It was called, "In A Medieval Garden" on Nonesuch Records. Even the cover album was cool. That was over 20 years ago. The last time I saw my lp was in storage at my mother's house in Hawai'i...not in good condition.
It's out-of-print and not available on CD.
Guess I'll be hunting in the used records/ vinyl shops.

Update - June 2004:
I found it, as well as a few "new" ones...

"Music For A Medieval Day" by New York Pro Musica - EXCELLENT!

Greatest Dance Hits of the 1500's (and 1600's), Critics Choice TM.
The title may 'sound' strange in this day and age, but it is an 'awesome' album of period instruments (Recorder, Dulcian, Crumhorn, Viola da Braccio, Viola da Gamba and Lute.)

Another favorite (and lost) lp was called, "Court and Villages Dances of 16th & 17th Centuries". It was a collection of
various musicians.

My current favorite CD is called,
"Love's Illusion" by Anonymous 4. Medieval chants/songs. It is all vocal, no instruments. These 4 women were born to sing together. Beautiful ethereal voices and harmonies, precision timing. My current favorite vocalsts.

As much as I love Medieval music, do I cherish music of the Renassaince and Baroque. My favorite musical instruments are the harpsichord (I played it once...it was fabulous!), flute, lute, oboe, violin, viola, cello and piano.

A few of my favorite composers are:
J.S. Bach, Scarlatti,Chopin

A few of my favorite selections are:
Trotto (13th cent)
Ma tredol Rosignol (14th cent.)
In seulum viellatoris (13th cent.)

However, I loved the ballet....
Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcraker....I also had a great lp called
"Ballet Favorites" lp. All the great, most popular compositions were on it. How I miss it. But, I do have a couple Chopin and other composers on CD.

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This antique tapestry is called, "Feudal Life".
Music and food are depicted here admidst a
peaceful and harmonius garden.

"The Lady and The Unicorn" or "The Mirror and The Unicorn"
15th Century Flemish Tapestry
In the collection of the Musee de Moyenage at Cluny in Paris.

Commissioned by a new wealthy merchant, Jean LeViste.
The artist, Nicholas des Innocent, is the subject of the famous book "The Lady and The Unicorn" by Tracy Chevalier.

The theme of the tapestries depicted six senses:
Taste, Smell, Touch, Sound, Sight and
A Mon Seul Desir" (My One Desire).
It was considered erotic and sensual in this period of time.

Interestingly enough, this particular (above) tapestry (or altered version of it) appears on the cover of my favorite CD,
"Love's Illusion" by Anonymous 4, and the HARRY POTTERTM MOVIES! Get your DVD/VHS out and look for it!

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The LP "The Lady and The Unicorn" by John Renbourn, 1971, is a wonderful instrumental album. Guitar, glockenspiel, viola, concertina, flutes, violin, hand drums...and a SITAR!
Imagine that!