The Scandinavian singers of Trio Mediaeval, who, according to the Boston Globe, create a "sound of extraordinary and comforting beauty," offer a collection of polyphony spanning from the Middle Ages to the modern era with their sixth ECM New Series release, Aquilonis, named after the north wind. The title alludes both to the artists' Nordic roots and to the refreshing clarity of their voices. Like the Aquilonis wind, the album's repertoire travels from Iceland to Italy, from north to south. In their creative interpretations of medieval Icelandic chants, Trio Mediaeval accompanies their singing with understated, richly textured instrumentation. The group has also arranged 12th-century sacred pieces from Italy and sings 15th-century English Christmas carols, with timeless folk melodies subtly woven in. Contemporary works by Swede Anders Jormin, American William Brooks, and Englishman Andrew Smith are also included. John Potter, former tenor of the Hilliard Ensemble and long-time mentor of Trio Mediaeval, aptly describes in his liner notes to Aquilonis the group's ability to "create a synthesis of sound and atmosphere... history and geography blend seamlessly".
