Additional information
Recording information: Chapelle de la Misericorde, Bordeaux (07/2011); Collégiale de Cardona (Catalogne) (07/2011); Franc-Warêt Church, Namur, Belgium (07/2011); L'Abbaye de Fontfroide (07/2011); Monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes, Catalonia (07/2011); Chapelle de la Misericorde, Bordeaux (08/2010); Collégiale de Cardona (Catalogne) (08/2010); Franc-Warêt Church, Namur, Belgium (08/2010); L'Abbaye de Fontfroide (08/2010); Monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes, Catalonia (08/2010); Chapelle de la Misericorde, Bordeaux (09/2010); Collégiale de Cardona (Catalogne) (09/2010); Franc-Warêt Church, Namur, Belgium (09/2010); L'Abbaye de Fontfroide (09/2010); Monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes, Catalonia (09/2010); Chapelle de la Misericorde, Bordeaux (12/2009); Collégiale de Cardona (Catalogne) (12/2009); Franc-Warêt Church, Namur, Belgium (12/2009); L'Abbaye de Fontfroide (12/2009); Monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes, Catalonia (12/2009); Chapelle de la Misericorde, Bordeaux (2010-11-??&2011-01-??&2011-); Collégiale de Cardona (Catalogne) (2010-11-??&2011-01-??&2011-); Franc-Warêt Church, Namur, Belgium (2010-11-??&2011-01-??&2011-); L'Abbaye de Fontfroide (2010-11-??&2011-01-??&2011-); Monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes, Catalonia (2010-11-??&2011-01-??&2011-). One of three ensembles led by Catalan viola da gambist Jordi Savall, Hesperion XXI is devoted to the interpretation of deeply rooted early musical traditions. Released on his Alia Vox label near the close of 2011, Mare Nostrum could be seen to exist near the very center and apex of Savall's massive discography. The project was completed only months before the passing of his wife and longtime collaborator, vocalist Montserrat Figueras. It stands as her parting prayer for tolerance, peace, and reconciliation between peoples and their nations, not despite but rather in celebration of their contrasting cultures and intermingled religions. The melodies in this collection and the individuals who interpret them come from an assortment of lands surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. Drawing upon multiple oral traditions and an intensively researched medieval manuscript repertory, Hesperion XXI present a gently inspiring blend of traditional melodies, calmly played and sung with elegance and improvised precision. If the prevailing mood is ruminative, there are many centuries of shared history on which to ruminate. Mare Nostrum literally means "Our Sea". While the phrase is traceable to Roman hubris following the Punic Wars and has since been abused by nationalists and other extremists who misconstrue the concept behind the word "our", Savall, Figueras, and Hesperion XXI propose a more humane and realistic application. As a "meeting point between different peoples", the Mediterranean has long served as "space for dialogue" between Christians, Muslims, and Jews. Figueras was an ethereal soprano and multi-instrumentalist whose spirit and methodology enabled musicians and listeners to enter into a state of grace.
