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Michel Godard serpent, tuba
Linda Bsiri voice
Gabriele Mirabassi clarinet
Vincent Courtois cello
Marie Ange Petit percussion
+ Ensemble Calixtinus,
dir. by Gianni De Gennaro
Gianni De Gennaro, Nicola Nesta, Massimo La Zazzera, Alexandro Quarta, Dario D'Abbico, Cossimo Giovine, Francesco Regina, Gaetano Magarelli voices, viella, lute, recorder

1. Princess Song 04:47 | 2. Psalmodia Serpent 05:16 | 3. Stupor Mundi 05:32 | 4. Magnificat 05:49 | 5. Pietre Di Luce 01:13 | 6. Cantiga De Santa Maria 04:58 | 7. Acqua, Aria, Fuoco, Terra 00:58 | 8. The Front Door 03:52 | 9. Penthés(il)ée 04:50 | 10. Introduction 01:29 | 11. Puer Apuliae 03:15 | 12. Il Manto Porpora 06:25 | 13. Psalmodia Clarinet 05:06 | 14. Tintinabulum 02:48 | 15. Kyrie 06:26 | 16. Tourne Ton Esprit 00:16

Click on to buy sheet music where available.

Total time: 63'00

The Castel del Monte near Ruvo di Puglia, Southern Italy, was the last and most beautiful building of Frederick II. (1194-1250), Roman emperor and King of Sicily. It dominates the Apulian landscape like a white crystal, a fata morgana beyond time and space whose original purpose will probably remain a mystery forever. When German producer Achim Hebgen and French musician Michel Godard visited the castle together, they felt there should be music created in and for the building - music that is simultaneously in the past, the present and the future. Along the borders between Mediterranean folk song and modern composition, mediaeval tradition and jazz improvisation, the first "Castel Del Monte" project (ENJ-9362 2) became a great musical document of the European-Arabic heritage and its historical continuity. Critics liked it all over Europe: CD of the month (Stereoplay), Rating: **** ½ (Jazzthetik), "Un sentiment d'éternité; **** (Jazzman).

Following the extraordinary statement of "Castel del Monte", French tuba and serpent player Michel Godard felt even more fascinated by this magical building and returned to Apulia for a second trip through times and cultures. Accompanied by some leading Italian and French improvisers like Gabriele Mirabassi and Vincent Courtois, Godard also called for the services of renowned Italian Ensemble Calixtinus who are specialized in Mediterranean music such as Gregorian Chants. More than just a follow-up to a successful album, "Castel Del Monte II" explores new facets for this imaginary synthesis of Middle Ages, Mediterranean folk tradition and contemporary improvisation. Probably the "star" of this production is the rare serpent, a deep-voiced wind instrument of serpentine shape, two and a half meters long, that was developed in the 18th century out of medieval predecessors. Its mysterious sound is a natural bridge between the cultural openness of Frederick II. and today's Dark Ages.