The Llibre Vermell de Montserrat (Catalan for "Red Book of Montserrat") is a collection of late medieval songs. The 14th century manuscript was located at the monastery of Montserrat outside Barcelona in Catalonia.
The manuscript was prepared in approximately 1399. It originally contained 172 double pages, of which 32 have been lost. The title "The Red Book of Montserrat" describes the red binding in which the collection was placed in the nineteenth century. No composer is identified for any of the songs it contains.
The monastery holds the shrine of the Virgin of Montserrat, which was a major site of pilgrimage during the time it was compiled.
The songs have many of the characteristics of folk songs as well as hymns. Some are monodic, while others are set in two to four parts of usually non-imitative polyphony. Some of the monodic songs can be sung as canons. The relative simplicity and strong melodies of the songs has given the music collected in the Red Book a lasting appeal, and these songs are some of the most frequently recorded pieces of early music.
Vocal ensembles: Montserrat Figueras
Soprano: Montserrat Figueras
Trebles voices: Ninos Cantores de Navarra; Carlos Gorricho, Javier Oses.
Atelier instrumental du Centre d'Abbaye Aux Dames: flute, harp, psaltery, rota.
Directed: Jordi Savall
Tags: llibre vermell de montserrat vocal ensemble figueras trebles boys monastery middle ages jordi savall
