Primus ex Apostolis (The First of the Apostles)

Primus ex Apostolis (The First of the Apostles) featuring Ensemble Weltgesang conducted by Roberta Cristoni is a new Stereo DSD release from Fone. The album is an imaginary journey of a pilgrim, Saint James, who sets off from central Italy and heads towards Santiago, travelling across northern Italy, through France and into Spain.

San Giacomo was the first among the Apostles (“Primus ex Apostolis”) to suffer martyrdom. Throughout the Middle Ages, a multitude of faithful pilgrims, guided by the miraculous light of a star, leaded the way to his sepulcher, at Sant’Iago di Campus Stellae. The medieval “viatores”, which crossed Europe to reach Compostela, had their own songs. To rejuvenate themselves, to recognize themselves, to give praise to God and to the saints.

The historical research of the Ensemble Weltgesang from Porretta, Italy has found these chants everywhere. In the Codex Calixtinus, in the Cortonese Laudarium, in the Cantigas de Sancta Maria, combining them with traditions. This album contains fifteen songs for soloists, instruments, and choruses of the European Middle Ages. The eighteen vocalists and instrumentalists directed by Roberta Cristoni, with the help of philology, are simply fascinating here in the evocation of the sounds and melodies of the distant past.

The album was recorded by Giulio Cesare Ricci at Santa Maria Assunta church of Castelluccio in Porretta Terme in 1997. The choice of this location was dictated by its wonderful acoustics which allowed to obtain an exceptional result.

To highlight the extraordinary acoustics of Santa Maria Assunta church even more, Giulio Cesare Ricci used Neumann U47 and M49 tube microphones, the Nagra 4s Analog Tape Recorder, advanced microphone pre-amplifiers and line, microphone and supply cables designed by Signor Ricci. The Original Analog Master Tape was transferred from the Nagra 4s directly to DSD Stereo.

For this recording Giulio Cesare Ricci used a “field effect” recording technique. It provides natural sound, without the use of equalizers, sound expansion or compression. All to bring the listener a live recording as if they were present at the performances.

Ensemble Weltgesang (Voices and Instruments)
Dante Bernardi – Soprano, Alto, Recorder
Gino Paccagnella – Baritone, Narrator, Bendir, Darabuka
Lorenzo Scuda – Tenor, Saz, Ud
Fabio Tricomi – Viola, Drum, Flute, Darabuka, Zarb
Roberta Cristoni – Conductor