Album review of Rosa das Rosas
by J. F. Weber, Fanfare Magazine
This is an interesting program of mostly Spanish spiritual songs for the Blessed Virgin, including six cantigas of Alfonso el Sabio. Two are complete, including a first recording of No. 252; two are not quite complete, including a first recording of No. 129; two are instrumental. The complete rendition of “Rosa das rosas,” which gives the disc its title, is spoken throughout, unlike several other complete treatments, and two others are spoken in part. Three Renaissance composers furnish similar songs, while the non-Hispanic songs consist of four laude, two from the Florence source and two more from the less familiar Grey MS now preserved in South Africa.
The cantigas sound good because the instrumental accompaniment is less overwhelming than many other versions. Early music of Spain has been touched less than other countries by the trend back toward unaccompanied vocal music. The similarity of the medieval and the later songs is well exemplified in this program, as least in the Rose Ensemble’s interpretations. This group, based in St. Paul, has given us several recordings on their own label, and they attain a high standard. The mixed group here consists of 11 singers, some of whom also play, and a harpist. This disc is worthwhile.