René Clemencic, Clemencic Consort ‎- La Fete de L’ane (180g LP)

Haven’t we always known that blasphemous laughter will land us in trouble? Just think what happened in the monastic whodunit “The Name of The Rose” in which a god-fearing monk did his utmost to hide a book about laughter from curious eyes and so turned into a serial killer in old age. Actually, carnival merrymaking monks went unpunished in medieval times when they turned strict Christian values upside down once a year and celebrated a so-called “Feast of the Ass” in their hallowed halls. First, a Boy-Bishop would be chosen from among the lower orders and choir boys who would read a burlesque, mock mass to hoots of laughter from the revelers. Meanwhile, other monks played cards and dice at the altar, burned incense made of dung and old shoe soles and sang dirty songs. The Clemencic Consort has reconstructed the music for a lifelike “Asses Mass” from medieval manuscripts. Among profane songs, contrapuntal, polyphonic verses and melodies with an accompaniment based on fifths, we hear Gregorian chant accompanied by the growl, rattle and rasp of historical instruments.