El Cant De La Sibilla / The Song Of The Sibyl (Montserrat Figueras, La Capella Reial de Catalunya / Jordi Savall) [Hybrid SACD, SACD]

By the time he founded his own label, Alia Vox, in 1998, Jordi Savall had already made some seventy recordings. The Alia Vox "Heritage" series was initiated for the purpose of remastering, repackaging, and re-issuing some of the best pre-Alia Vox recordings. This remastered edition of the 1988 El Cant de la Sibil-la recording is a most welcome addition to the Heritage series.

Content

The prophetic Sibyl tradition has roots stretching far back into antiquity, and the Song of the Sibyl itself derives from a 3rd century Greek poem translated into Latin by St. Augustine, who began the tradition of wishing non-Christians a Merry Christmas with the famous opening verse: Judicii signum, tellus sudore madescrit ("The Sign of Judgment: the earth will be bathed in sweat [or, will begin to sweat]"). The song proceeds by alternating the refrain with numerous apocalyptic visions. The famous melody seems to have emerged around the tenth century. Increasingly elaborate versions of the Song of the Sibyl appeared over the following centuries, and the melody was reused in the 13th century Cantiga de Santa Maria "Madre de Deus" (CSM 422). The Song of the Sibyl is one of UNESCO's "Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity".

This recording features the somber 10th century Latin Song of the Sibyl, a 13th century Provencal version with oud and male cantor, and a late medieval Catalan version with grander instrumental forces (viols, various winds, percussion) supplied by the Hesperion XX ensemble. (Savall has since recorded five more versions, including an alternative version of the Latin Sybil.)

Performance

Monterserrat Figueras, surely one of the most distinctive and mesmerizing soprano voices in all Early Music, embodies the Sibyl with a commitment that borders on unnerving. The sheer intensity of her delivery, and her inspired ornamentations, suggest a truly deep connection with this music, and indeed with some aspects of the Sibyl's character and message (explained by Figueras in a brief essay). Though she still sings beautifully today, here at age forty she was probably at her peak (a long peak - her 1998 Sibyl performance is equally arresting). The dark Latin version, in particular, with Savall's droning fiddle and the rich voices of the Cappella Reial de Catalunya, is still the benchmark Song of the Sibyl.

Others have done this music, and sometimes done it well. For example, Obsidienne have an earthy Catalan version, Anonymous 4 an ultra-pure a cappella Latin version, and Sequentia an interesting male-voiced version of the same. But it feels as though Savall practically owns this music, and above all Figueras, unlike anyone else I've heard, simply is the Sibyl.

Sound

If you don't have the original Astree CD, I highly recommend getting this stunning, landmark recording in its new incarnation. And even if you do have it, this re-issue is very much worth getting. Alia Vox have provided their customarily lavish packaging, including a booklet illustrated with photos and high quality images of relevant manuscripts and illuminations. To assess the remastered sound, I encoded both CDs losslessly to FLAC files and switched back and forth between old and new versions several times, listening with a high-end DAC/headphone amp and AKG circumaural headphones. This gear was not really necessary to hear the improvement, though. The 1988 sound, though acceptable, is somewhat thin and flat in comparison. Depth, layering, and texture are all more evident in the 2010 version, and the wonderful resonance in the medieval Chateau de Cardona is clearly enhanced, serving Savall's unabashedly mystical approach to the music well.

UPDATE Dec 2011: Montserrat Figueras died of cancer in Nov 2011 at age 69. I will always remember the two times I met her, and the one opportunity I had to hear her sing. She was a treasure to Early Music and to her family, and her creative and life partnership with Savall is truly inspirational. For a late (2006) recital program by Figueras, I recommend Lux Feminae, which features an alternative -- lighter, but in some ways more poignant -- version of the Latin Sybil along with a diverse range of other music spanning seven centuries.

I heard this while perusing the cd selection in Virgin Records Paris (yes, they still have Virgin stores there and even though cds are not the focus it does recreate the feeling of shopping in a good old brick and mortar music shop). The music is awe inspiring and beautiful. Having just toured some of the most incredible cathedrals in the world in the city might have predisposed me towards the gothic sound, but under any circumstances this is a recording that will take your breath away. Highly recommended!

The world has lost a true muse in Montserrat Fiqueras. This is my all time favorite. What a beautiful addition to anyone's collection. We will miss you, Montserrat.