Hespèrion XX
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Hespèrion XX was an international early music ensemble formed in Basel, Switzerland in 1974 by Spanish musical director Jordi Savall. It has been superseded by a newer group lineup, calling themselves Hespèrion XXI. The lineup includes Jordi Savall (direction/bowed string instruments), Montserrat Figueras (vocalist), Lorenzo Alpert (flutist, percussionist), Hopkinson Smith (plucked string instruments), and other musicians. The ensemble is noted for its scholarship in early music - especially the music of 16th and 17th century Spain. Their performance practice is noted for the liberal use of improvisation around the basic melodic and rhythmic structures of the early pieces, resulting in great emotional intimacy and immediacy.
[edit] Partial discography
Note: The name of composer Juan del Encina (or Enzina) is spelled below as printed on the individual CD covers.
- 1976 - Music From Christian and Jewish Spain, 1450-1550. Tracks include several anonymous works, as well as works by Luis de Milán, Juan del Encina, and Diego Ortiz.
- 1991 - Juan Del Enzina: Romances & Villancicos, Salamanca, 1496. Works by famed Spanish composer Juan del Enzina honouring King Ferdinand II of Aragon and Queen Isabella of Castille. The lyrics express Spain's anticipated rise to greatness as adventurers, such as Columbus, set off to return the world's riches to the homeland, thereby assuring Spain's wealth and power.
- 1991 - Lope de Vega: Intermedios del Barroco Hispanico, 1580-1680
- 1999 - El Barroco Hispánico
- 2001 - Music for the Spanish Kings
