[Gocamino] Santiago a Cappella

[Eldor Pederson]

Just in time for St. James Day tomorrow, yet another new and quite wonderful CD of music related to the Camino! On this recording the British conductor John Eliot Gardiner, known for his interpretations of Bach Cantatas (a complete set with the Monteverdi Choir has now been issued on recordings),  conducts the Monteverdi Choir in a series of works related to the Camino by composers of the late 16th and early 17th centuries in Portugal and Spain. Most recordings of music related to the Camino focus on works from the medieval or early renaissance eras, so this one with music of a later era is unique and resulted from a pilgrimage last year on the Camino by maestro Gardiner and the Monteverdi Choir. BBC Music, one of the preeminent music magazines, describes the new recording, which it awarded 5 stars, with the concluding statement "The clarity, transparency and sensitivity of the Monteverdi Choir's interpretations are breathtaking." (July 2005, p. 72) I certainly agree and strongly recommend the recording: Santiago a Cappella: Works by Cardoso, Guerrero et al. Monteverdi Choir, John Eliot Gardiner conductor. UK: Emancy 9986 7305. 66:37 minutes.