FROM SPAIN TO SPAIN

Numerous visions, adventures and miracles were experienced by Middle Ages pilgrims on the "Camino de Santiago", the path to the grave of Saint Jacob. Many of these miracles were recorded in the earliest Spanish songs, the "Cantigas de Santa Maria", in the 13th century. Christian an Moorish cultures meet each other in these songs, which tell of mysterious happenings in actual places on the road to Santiago.

The "Cantigas de Santa Maria" encompass both the most powerful and the most intimate music of the Middle Ages. We can detect within them the nucleus of the melting pot which makes up Spanish music: old Indian gipsy tradition, musical traces of the Arab conquerors, the flamenco and a good deal more. With the return of the Spanish Arabs to North Africa and Spain´s occupation of South America, these traditions became a part of the music of three continents.

In the new production entitled "From Spain to Spain" VOX is combining a musical Odyssee through Spain, Africa and South America with a journey in time covering eight centuries. This new creation of the medieval cantigas, with old European and Arab instruments, traditional singers from Spain, Portugal, North Africa and Lebanon, and also featuring the electric Rai from Morocco, the vibrating living heirs of this tradition, as well as Brazilian rhythm, transforms them into a virutal reality with the application of computer acoustics. The music of three continents and the history of Spanish music are united to provide a simultaneous experience of various cultures and ages.

VOX, owned, produced and directed by VLADIMIR IVANOFF, is a group of musicians who have dedicated themselves to the significance of Early Music for our times. The interpretation of medieval music by VOX is a game with various levels of performance. VOX is crossing the borders of traditional historical performance by incorporating today's means in order to give the listener a more intensive appreciation of medieval music, to exemplify the dimensions of historical estrangement and to give medieval music a sensual quality beyond simple exotic interest.

Computer acoustics, experiments with electronic soundscapes, live electronics and possibilities of digital sound-shaping are symbols of the musica mundana and allow us to experience the visionary character of medieval music. The music of VOX mirrors the soul of the Occident. It is a fascinating journey into our own past. - VLADIMIR IVANOFF

Press reviews:

" ... conveys a breath-taking impression of time, of submerged epochs and cultures. The recording quality is of superb brilliance. A pathbreaking production for people with a sense for the aesthetics of sound.“ - Kultur News, June 1992

" ... excellent sound, a thrilling musical expedition.“ Keyboards 7/ 92: "Far removed from fashionable ‘Enigma’ pop Vox proves that they still haven’t exhausted the popular concept of Middle Ages plus electronics, certainly not as long as there are musicians as competent as these at work. - audio 8 / 92