Le Lay De La Fontaine, Un Lay De Consolation (2 Polyphonic Lais)

This 1983 recording features the work of the 14th-century poet and composer Guillaume de Machaut, a central figure of the Ars Nova musical style. Produced by L'Oiseau-Lyre, the album serves as an exploration of the complex polyphonic forms that defined late medieval courtly music. The performance by The Medieval Ensemble of London reflects the 20th-century scholarly revival of early music, which sought to bring the intricate textures of medieval notation to modern audiences with historical sensitivity.

The Medieval Ensemble of London, co-directed by Peter and Timothy Davies, was highly regarded for their dedication to authentic instrumentation and rigorous musicological research. Their interpretation of the lais, which were among the most demanding forms in Machaut's repertoire, was praised for its technical precision and clarity. The recording remains a notable entry in L'Oiseau-Lyre's long-standing project of documenting the canon of Western early music, offering a refined aesthetic that bridges the gap between historical performance practice and the fidelity of high-quality analog engineering.