Admittedly, the majority of these studies centre on the most prominent and powerful monasteries (for example Las Huelgas) or representative women composers (Hildegard von Bingen). This explains why certain monastic orders, especially those subsisting on alms and which never paid much attention to music, hadn’t previously been researched, even in the case of male monasteries.

The Ensemble Peregrina’s recording thus hits the mark with its recreation of the sounds of a female convent of the order of St. Francis, better known as Clarisse convents. The repertoire couldn’t be more interesting, and is based on pieces related to the peripheral repertory of the lost Magnus Liber Organi, with interesting connections to manuscripts such as the Madrid Manuscript.

The figure of the convent’s mentor, St. Claire of Assisi, serves as a common theme in texts filled with such words as clarus, clara. And this interesting ensemble presents the connection between the Parisian and peripheral repertoires with (the necessary) sublime clarity. Music not often heard, deservedly performed, featuring pieces of an excellent style and remarkable melodic creativity, inviting us to take a stroll through medieval Polish (and European) churches and cloisters. The performance of both the monodic and polyphonic works (the former sometimes includes improvisations based on medieval organum techniques) is a true luxury. JUAN CARLOS ASENSIO

Filia Praeclara
Music from 13th and 14th Century Polish Clarisse Convents
Ensemble Peregrina
Divox Antiqua CDX - 70603
2008 · 51:59’