PRESS REVIEW HIGHLIGHTS
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"Música Ficta offers an exquisite anthology of villancicos from the music archive of the Cathedral of Bogotá.... The voices are clear and sweet; the tenor and baritone blend perfectly. The singers take utmost care in the expressiveness of poems. The performers confer charm and color to the music. Abundant and exhaustive program notes in meticulous Spanish illustrate the musical apogee that took place in Colombia during the 17th and 18th centuries."
"Colombian ensemble Música Ficta presents its second CD devoted to tonos humanos by José Marín. As usual with this Latin-American quartet, performance is more than expert. Jairo Serrano's voice is expressive and is supported by excellent instrumental accompaniment. Both these volumes are a first rate contribution to the knowledge of Spanish 17th century music and Marín's repertoire."
"...rendered crisply by Música Ficta, this album will have an appeal beyond aficionados of the Spanish Renaissance."
"Música Ficta transforms these tonos humanos into emotional stories. Jairo's tenor voice is well equipped to interpret these tonos. He possesses a clear and round tone that supports the urgency and poignancy these songs require. Carlos' agile, fluid and light recorder playing is a joy to hear. Regina Albanez' dynamic and imaginative playing is on full display. Tonos are expressed beautifully with careful attention to the text's meaning and harmonies. Vibrant lifelike sound. This CD was put together with care, scholarship, deep emotion, and attention to detail. The alchemy of Música Ficta is spellbinding."
"...the music is ear-catching and marvelously performed, with a balance of exuberant and contemplative affects."
"Jairo Serrano has a nice, light and agile voice, perfectly suited to the songs by Marín... lending his performances a strong sense of authenticity. The instrumentalists do a great job, supporting the singer and emphasizing the rhythms. This disc is a valuable addition to recordings focusing on one of the most brilliant composers of tonos humanos [José Marín], a genre that rightly receives the attention it deserves."
"The playing of Carlos Serrano and Leonardo Cabo forms an integral part of the large ensemble pieces, they really shine. The stereo sound with excellent presence of each voice and instrument is beautiful."
"Five world premier pieces make of this CD ["Alado
cisne de nieve"] an eminent release."
"An active rhythmic vitality characterizes all of the music
on this disc. All musicians bring the music to life, leading the
listener to desire to hear this ensemble in live performance. Excellent
audio engineering. If you are drawn to this music, you will certainly
enjoy Música Ficta's other CDs."
"A delightful collection of mostly premiere performances.
Clear sound, intimate feeling. This disc should open the ear to
the heretofore unheard treasury of Baroque Spanish theater music.
Highly recommended not only for something unusual, but also for
an excellent performance that gives substance to this interesting
repertory."
" Jairo Serrano's attractive tenor voice is well suited
to the repertoire with which he is obviously very familiar; his
insight into the characteristic Spanish zarzuela style and clear
diction makes for very enjoyable listening."
"...passionate and lively performances ...one can almost
feel the physical presence of the performers in a natural-sounding
ambience." (4.5 stars)
"...a vitality and very obvious enthusiasm for everything
that they perform... singing throughout was superb. I hope there
will be further opportunities to hear the group perform this repertoire
in the not-too-distant future."
"I have followed Música Ficta for a number of years,
and over the course of time they have lost none of their vitality
and curiosity... energetic and eclectic performances, providing
a wonderfully timely setting. Voices are pure and accurate. If you
want something off the beaten path, this will be highly appealing
to you. Highly recommended."
"...refreshing and enjoyable, with excellent sound and
performances in a great variety of music." (4 Stars)
"Fresh and vigorous performances. A unique blend of scholarship
and performance."
"This recording is among the best I have heard of this
repertoire, and its inventiveness and vivacity is infectious."
"Música Ficta sings and plays with infectious enthusiasm
and flair."
" Jairo Serrano's voice breathes life into everything he
sings. The lively performances of the songs, dances, and other pieces
make it easy for the listener to imagine musical life in a South
American city 300 years ago. Música Ficta's performances
of European music easily stand comparison with the finest early
music ensembles, and the rough-hewn syncopated energy of the folk
music of the New World is revelatory. Sound: 4.5 Stars. Performance:
4.5 Stars."
"Música Ficta offers a fascinating perspective of
this Apollenean-Dyonisian mixture of the Latin-American baroque,
that musical apotheosis of feast and adoration in which it is difficult
to distinguish adoration of the celestial from the terrestrial.
For the listener, there are many discoveries; the repertoire offered
could well have been searched for in vain, until now. Despite meticulous
detail, the ensemble's performances avoid academic rigidity. There
is good reason for this recording to be nominated for a prize. (5
stars *****)."
"A superb production... an extremely coherent and specialized
ensemble... Vibrant presence and musical sensitivity. One of the
best sounds heard among the vast number of recent productions. This
CD definitely deserves a place of honor in the media library of
the demanding audiophile and the respected enthusiast." Supersonic
Pizzicato Award (5 stars *****)
"A superb album... leaves me hankering for more. This is
a first class production all around, one of the best I have heard
this year, and is to be acquired with urgency." (5 stars *****)
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