Granada 1013-1526 – Hesperion XXI & Jordi Savall

   in Choir & Organ (Nov, 2016)
In yet another Tardis of a disc, time-traveller extraordinaire Jordi Savall packs five centuries and seven epochs of Granada’s history into a haunting, atmospheric, evocative, heart-rending, -stopping, -warming by turns mélange of three medieval cultures: Arabic, Christian and Jewish. Choral, consort, solo, instrumental – all of the above in assorted combinations – meet in artistic amity. From colour-saturated dance music to desperate depths of lamentation (notably from the phenomenally expressive contralto Waed Bouhassoun), this SACD with (as ever) stunningly beautiful booklet enthrals, enchants and demands total attention. …