Potter, John - Romaria
SKU
28-ECM1970
John Potter-tenor, Milo Valent-violin, viola, John Surman-soprano saxophone, bass clarinet, tenor and bass recorders, Stephen Stubbs-baroque guitar, vihuela.
"With a revised line-up, John Potter’s Dowland Project expands its repertoire on its third album, freely exploring love songs, chants and motets from the 12th century to the present by Oswald von Wolkenstein, Orlando di Lasso, Josquin Desprez and others including the anonymous composers of the Carmina Burana manuscript. New to the Project is Milo_ Valent, the vibrant violinist and violist from Slovakia who is equally at home in early music and in the gypsy and folk musics of eastern Europe. Like English reedman John Surman and American lutenist Stephen Stubbs he is also able to improvise beyond the traditions: these richly atmospheric pieces are reborn in the interaction of the players."
"This is a disc of whispered conversations: among musicians, cultures and periods – past, present and future. Anonymous composers from the Franus Codex and the Carmina Burana manuscript break bread with Josquin and Lassus, while ancient instruments freely consort with modern. … Whether on recorder or reeds, Surman’s playing is as eloquent as Potter’s ethereal – there’s no other word for it – singing. On the final track, the three instrumentalists let their hair down in a jam session that celebrates both similarity and difference; it’s a surprise end to a disc that is overwhelmingly meditative in character. Forget crass labels like “crossover” – Romaria is as pure a musical experience as you’re likely to have."-William Yeoman, Gramophone