One of the best of a fine but still small number of discs featuring secular music of the late 14th century, this recording effectively captures the mood and spirit of an age that experienced the horrors of the Black Death, the Hundred Years War, the great papal schism, and the appearance of great literary works such as The Canterbury Tales and the poetry of Petrarch. Here the six members of Ensemble P.A.N. present 15 selections from the great manuscript known as the Chantilly Codex--a collection of sometimes mysterious, often complex, but always irresistibly beautiful songs and instrumental works. Whether performing a haunting, "bluesy" ballade, a passionate love song, or a mournful lament, the musicians' technical expertise and broad early music experience are always evident. By giving predominance to the music's basic ingredients--melody, rhythm, and poetic texts--Ensemble P.A.N. brings to these ancient pieces a welcome vitality and immediacy that leaves us wanting more. --David Vernier
