Ensemble Dragma - Laufenberg: Kingdom of Heaven (2014) [Official Digital Download 24/88]

Heinrich Laufenberg lived and worked between c.1390 and 1460 in the Swiss canton of Argovia, southern Germany and Alsace. He was the author of a vast body of works, comprising spiritual hymns, didactic epics and religious prose. A manuscript housed in the Strasbourg Library, which took up the major part of his work, was completely destroyed in a fire in 1870. Happily, a copy had been made of it, so part of his oeuvre was able to be passed on to posterity. The surviving songs of Heinrich Laufenberg are of great beauty, in terms of both music and content: in one of them, he praises Mary in a thoroughly poetic way; in a lullaby, he asks Jesus’ protection for the sleeping infant; in yet another, he describes for us the kingdom of heaven in detail and in all its richness.

This programme, entitled Royaume des cieux, offers us the joy of hearing songs that had remained silent since the 15th century. Between Laufenberg’s lyrical and narrative songs are inserted instrumental pieces from the period. Thus, in an enthusiastic, authentic way, the ensemble Dragma gives life to the music of the late Middle Ages, in a glittering kaleidoscope.

Three highly-regarded musicians are at the heart of Ensemble Dragma: Agnieszka Budzińska-Bennett, Jane Achtman and Marc Lewon. Their flexible configuration (two voices, vielle, lute, and harp) allows them to bring the repertoire of the high and late Middle Ages to life, in all its colour and variety, for contemporary audiences.

Established in 2012, the group soon embarked on a tour of Germany, France and Switzerland with a programme entitled The Kingdom of Heaven. This is Ensemble Dragma’s first CD.

Tracklist:

Heinrich Laufenberg (1390-1460)

01. Es taget minnencliche
02. Myn trud gheselle
03. Ich bin by ir / Ich bin peý Ir
04. Bis grüst, maget reine
05. Ach Döhterlin, min sel gemeit
06. Gruß senen Ich im hertzen traghe
07. Ich wölt, daz ich do heime wer
08. Ein lerer rúft vil lut
09. Cum lacrimis
10. Benedicite "Die triualt in dem obresten tron"
11. Aliud Benedicite
12. Woluf, du böse welt gemein
13. Ellende du hest vmb vanghen mich
14. Kóm mir ein trost
15. Ich fare do hyn wen eß muß syn / Ich var zú dir, Maria rein
16. Seit ich dich, hercz lib, leiden muß / Seyd ich dich hertzlieb
17. Got geb vns allen
18. Der winter will hin weichen / Sequitur nunc tenor bonus trium notarum videlicet der wýnter der will weýchen
19. Puer natus ist vns gar schon
20. Benedicite (Bux 224)
21. Benedicite "Fron her du bist in ewigkait"
22. Benedicite (Bux 68)
23. Es ist ein ingendig jor

Personnel:
Ensemble Dragma:
Agnieszka Budzinska-Bennett
Jane Achtman
Marc Lewon