Musik Der Spielleute = Music Of The Minstrels = Musique De Ménestrels

Released in 1975 under the Telefunken label as part of their Das Alte Werk series, this recording captures the research and performance practices of the Studio der Frühen Musik. Led by American lutenist Thomas Binkley, the ensemble was instrumental in the late 20th-century revival of medieval and early Renaissance music. The album presents a collection of instrumental and vocal pieces intended to reflect the secular soundscapes of the European Middle Ages, moving away from rigid musicological interpretations toward a more vibrant, rhythmic, and improvisational style.

The design of the record reflects the aesthetic standards of the Das Alte Werk series, which sought to present early music with scholarly rigor while making it accessible to a contemporary audience. By utilizing period instruments such as the vielle, lute, and portative organ, Binkley and his ensemble aimed to bridge the gap between academic study and artistic performance. The release was well-received for its evocative atmosphere and technical precision, cementing the ensemble's reputation as a cornerstone of the early music movement during the 1970s.