Your favorite pre-17th century music (in other words, pre-1600)

You don't have to post a big list all at once. Just add some favorite tunes/pieces whenever you think of them.

Since we have a lot of audiophiles on the board, feel free to recommend some of your favorite recordings of the music you list.

 

(Ensemble) Fortuna - Chansons

This is an album, released in 2010, of short pieces by Guillaume Du Fay (the most represented here, and the most well-known), Thomas Fabri, Johannes Ciconia, Francesco Landini, Antonello da Caserta and a couple pieces with unknown composers, with instrumental accompaniment on period instruments (or period recreation instruments). This is on the Aliud label, catalog #ACDBH472

Given the composers, then, the pieces here are from the later 14th to the early 15th century (well to mid 15th century for Du Fay).

The piece I'm linking to is by Ciconia, "Aler m'en veus"

 

Ktož jsú boží bojovníci - Wikipedia

 

I love a good Saltarello.

 

And then there is always this one.

 

Hildegard von Bingen - Canticles of Ecstasy (or any other album you can lay your hands on). Wonderful music from the 12th century

 

Thomas Tallis - Spem in alium. 16th century goodness

 

From the great Richard Thompson record 1000 Years of Popular Music, "So Ben Mi Chi Ha Bon Tempo."
Richard very funny on the intro.

 

The first is more homage than the genuine article but flavoursome

 

I came to post Spem in Alium (see above)...but here's Stella splendens from the 14th century instead. This version is by Sarband from their Llibre Vermell album [Dorian, 1993].

A deceptively spare instrumental introduction bursts into an addictive rhythmic vocal celebration. Medieval rock & roll!

 

Froggie Went A-courtin'.
I love this song. Would’ve been great to experience way back then. Dates from the mid-1500’s.

People still like to play it today.

 

King Richard's lament from captivity (circa 1192)
Ja nus hons pris

 

Tielman Susato - "Den III, I. ende, VI. Ronde" (not sure of the exact date, but Susato was active in the 1540s through about 1570)

The album I'm pulling this from is a very good compilation with a variety of styles.

 

Guillaume de Machaut (1300-1377) - Messe de Nostre Dame (~1366)



Schmelzer does a rather atypical performance.

For a more traditional version, here's Ensemble Gilles Binchois, bajo la dirección de Dominique Vellard.