O VIRGO SPLENDENS from Llibre Vermell de Montserrat (ca. XIV) - version for Baritone Saxophones

Joan Martí-Frasquier, baritone saxophones.
Listen to the full version here: / virgo-copia
O VIRGO SPLENDENS is a canon for three male voices from the Llibre Vermell de Montserrat, one of the oldest extant medieval manuscripts containing music. The Red Book is in the library of the Abbey of Montserrat, near Barcelona (Catalonia, Spain).
The Red Book includes three canons, two polyphonic songs and dances five dances and was copied at the end of the 14th Century. The relative simplicity, the dance rhythm and the strong melodies have given the music a lasting appeal.
O Virgo
Splendens, hic in monte celso
miraculis serrato
fulgentibus ubique,
quem fideles
conscendunt universi.
Eia pietatis oculo placato
cerne ligatos furne peccatorum,
ne infernorum ictibus graventur,
sed cum beatis tua prece vocentur.
O Virgin,
shining brightly, on this high
serrated mountain,
with splendid miracles all around,
where the believers
from everywhere ascend,
Ah, with your gentle loving eye
behold those caught in the bonds of sin,
that they not be vexed by the blows of hell
but be called among the blessed by your prayer.
---
Lyrics and translation and picture: dick.wursten.be/
Photo Joan: Jesús Llungueras
Recorded by Nacho Gascón at Stinky Studio (Lliçà de Vall, Catalonia/Spain)
Find out more about the classical/contemporary repertoire for baritone saxophone on the blog from my website: joanmf.com/jmf-blog/

[@rloomis3]

I love your reading of the plainchant melody -- you've clearly studied elements of performance practice related to music of that era. It reminds me of recordings I have by groups like the Tallis Scholars and the Hilliard Ensemble. The _Sagrada Familia_ seems like a perfect background for the second part of the video: A combination of the ancient and the modern.

[@joanmarti-frasquier]

Thanks so much for your kind words!

[@davidsalleras]

Bravo Joan!

[@joanmarti-frasquier]

Gràcies, David!