This CD collects music primarily from Medieval and Renaissance Spain that developed from Celtic sources. Celtic tribes had invaded Spain in the sixth century BCE, so their influence ran deep in Iberian life. The ensemble here doesn't try to tease out the Celtic strand that runs through Spanish culture, but selects pieces that meet contemporary expectations of what Celtic music sounds like and performs them on traditional Celtic and modern instruments. Featured artists harpist Allison Hampton and guitarist and piper Linn Barnes are joined by Joseph Cunliffe on flutes, penny whistle, and saxophone; percussionist Steve Bloom; and cellist Tim Anderson. The harp predominates, along with the guitar and pipes, so there is more textural uniformity on the album than is often the case on CDs presenting such a wide diversity of music, in this case, from Medieval dances to pieces by contemporary Galician composers. The CD should be of most interest to generalist fans of Celtic music; the performances are lively and danceable, with a strong rhythmic lilt, and the album features some interesting pieces not usually associated with a Celtic sound, such as several delightful dances by seventeenth century Spanish composer Gaspar Sanz. The use of modern instruments, however, may displease Celtic purists, and early music fans may be put off by the uniformity of the performance practice.
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