The music of the 1300s is attractive for the inventiveness and often exquisite complexity of its melodies. It is a marked departure from the style of the previous 150 years, which were dominated by the French school. A great many of the composers were members of religious orders. But membership of the first estate did not always mean austerity. The monastic life had for centuries been an unavoidable career choice for younger siblings and destitute or illegitimate members of the nobility, and often offered much to appeal both to the mind and the senses.
Egidius Da Francia Magister Guilielmus de Francia, probably an Augustinian monk. His name suggests he was of French origin, which fits well with the style of his alla francesca tunes; and that is all that can be said of him with certainty. We do not know if the monk Guilielmus of the Squarcialupi Codex and Magister Egidius of the Chantilly Codex were the same person.
Bartolino Da Padova Magister Frater Bartolinus de Padua, an Italian composer and a member of the Carmelite order in the service of the Carrara family in Padua, probably lived in Florence.
Don Paolo Da Firenze Magister Dominus Paulus Abbas de Florentia, well-known for his glittering career as a diplomat and cleric, belonged to the Camaldolese order. He was also a theoretician of music.
Ensemble Syntagma was founded by the composer Alexandre Danilevski, Its three previous recordings (Musique Baroque Russe and Touz esforciez with Pierre Vérany, 2002 and 2004; and Gautier d’Epinal. Remembrance, 2008, CC72190) are devoted to little-known or unknown repertoires. These recordings have, for their artistic choices at least, met with the approval of the public, the press and a growing number of performers.
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