<<  -- 2 --  Patric Standford    COLOURFUL SPIRIT

The second part, The Dawn Approaching, includes songs from 12th and 13th century France and Tuscany; and opening the third section, Star of the Day, is one of the many cantigas or musical stories, compiled by Alfonso el Sabio, a 13th century Spanish king, telling of the miraculous works of the Mother of God [listen -- track 6, 0:25-1:46]. There is the spoken word too, as in another story telling of a corrupt judge purified by the Virgin [listen -- track 8, 0:00-1:17].

The fourth more extended section deals with The Birth of Jesus, songs and instrumental pieces from the 12th, 13th and 17th centuries, and a 19th century Istrian wassailing carol from the Italian-speaking Dalmatian coast [listen -- track 12, 0:00-1:01]. The section ends with a lovely Andalusian folk carol En Belén tocan a fuego (In Bethlehem a fire begins) with echoes of its Arabic roots, sung by Equidad Barès [listen -- track 16, 0:00-1:25].

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