CD Review: Avis Dei's 'Early European Dance'

Avis Dei
Early European Dance
Sketis Music

Russia's Avis Dei produces an exciting album of very early music that is instrumental and steeped in the 15th and 16th centuries. This form of Middle Ages or Renaissance music contains traditional instrumentation from the bagpipes, mandolin, assorted percussion, recorders, cittern, cello, and others. The fanciful delivery is very moving and pleasant. The music stems from English, Italian, and Belgium ancestries. There are nineteen great songs that showcase the dance sounds of the Middle Ages. A fan of Renaissance fairs, Middle Ages history, and early classical music will appreciate the music contained herein. However, the music is so accessible that anyone will appreciate its inner and outer beauty. The Middle Ages have been known as a dark period with little innovation and new discoveries. Though, Avis Dei proves the Middle Ages can be a fun time with Early European Dance. Liner notes are in English and Russian. ~ Matthew Forss