La Main Harmonique - L'aura mia sacra (Mélodies et madrigaux inspirés de Pétrarque) (2013) Hi-Res

La Main Harmonique is a vocal ensemble created in 2008 under the aegis of countertenor Frédéric Bétous. The term refers to a form of vocal notation in use from the late Middle Ages, the “guidonian hand.” Guido d´Arezzo (Italian Benedictine monk) proposes to transfer the most common sound combinations of his time to several salient points of the human hand. This is the time when Western music sets its codes and institutions.
How to musically translate all the complexity of human beings in their feelings, aspirations and beliefs? Adriano Willaert and Cipriano de Rore - 16th century composers (maturity period of the polyphonic madrigal), from southern Flanders, exiled in Italy - were inspired by Petrarch's Canzoniere to write their madrigals for 4 to 7 voices. Petrarchism is first and foremost a lyrical poetry celebrating the loved and idealized woman (Lavra de Noves for Petrarch) as well as a mannerism of form. Petrarch gave a metaphorical style that relies on the sonnet. The meaning, syntax and beauty of poetry will punctuate this musical journey recorded at the church of Marsolan (Gers) in October 2012. Frédéric Bétous has deliberately split his program into two parts “In Vita di Madonna Laura” - “Du vivant de Laure ”and“ In Morte di Madonna Laura ”-“ Après la mort de Laure ”punctuated by an adaptation of a free translation of Petrarch by Louis Aragon commissioned from Alexandros Markéas (contemporary Franco-Greek composer):“ They said Laura was somebody else. ”