Blue Heron on CD
Hugh Aston: Three Marian Antiphons
Blue Heron’s second CD presents superb music by three English composers of the early 16th century: Hugh Aston, Robert Jones, and John Mason. more info >
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Music of Guillaume Du Fay
Blue Heron’s first CD offers an entrancing selection of music by the greatest composer of the 15th century. more info >
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Ivan Moody, Early Music | August 2008
Medieval music, early and late, from France and Spain
The Du Fay discography continues to grow apace: the number of groups regularly performing his music and their quality are truly astonishing. One of the most impressive of these discs to have come my way lately is a collection by the American ensemble Blue Heron, under Scott Metcalfe, Guillaume Du Fay: Motets, Hymns and Chansons (BHCD 1001, rec 2006, 74'). A 14-member group, with three instrumentalists to help out, Blue Heron produces a wonderfully clear sound that is nevertheless not lacking in depth, and the highlights of the recording—in that they display these qualities to perfection—are the so-called ‘Sanctus Papale’ (the Sanctus ‘Ave verum corpus’, possibly written for the consecration of Santa Maria dei Fiore in Florence in 1436) and Rite majorem, in honour of St James. The chansons are also beautifully sung, by smaller groups, but again with a pleasingly full sound. An extremely impressive recorded debut.
F. Weber, Fanfare | November/December 2007
The Want List 2007 [five favorite releases in 2007]
The Dufay disc would be worthy of inclusion even if it were not an outstanding debut of the ensemble and its label.
Craig Zeichner, Early Music America | Fall 2007
…glorious performances with incandescent singing … perfect blend and balance … a triumph…
Fabrice Fitch, Goldberg | August/September 2007
The most attractive aspect of this recital is its feeling of immediacy and freshness.… For me, the high points are the Sanctus Papale, for which it is very welcome to have such a confident and poised rendition; and some of the later songs, for example Malheureux cuer, que veux tu faire, and the cheeky Puisque vous estez campieur… More, please.
J. F. Weber, Fanfare | September/October 2007
This debut marks Blue Heron as a leading new actor in the field of early Renaissance music, both for studying the sources and bringing them to life.
Altogether, this is one of the finest Dufay collections to come out in recent years…
Clifford Bartlett, Early Music Review (UK) | April 2008
This disc shows off the mellifluous beauty of much of the music. It is somewhat laid-back, but not overly so. If I say that it is an ideal introduction to Dufay, I don't wish to discourage more experienced listeners. It's a good, unhackneyed program: buy it!
Charles E. Brewer, American Record Guide
September/October 2007
…clarity of texture and intonation … interesting and well performed … excellent recording …
