The debut CD of Ensemble Leones is devoted to one of the key composers responsible for the blossoming of instrumental music: Josquin Desprez (c1450-1521). This is intended as a fitting tribute to his previously neglected secular instrumental works, which were compiled in 14 musical blocks: in many cases, a simple monodic (folk) song provided the model for Josquin’s polyphonic elaboration, permitting a sort of ‘theme with variations’.

The bonus track presents a new composition “Sei gelobt, du Baum“ by Arvo Pärt. It is written for two instruments - Baroque violin and Renaissance gittern, both of which were made from the wood of a 2000-year-old piece of silver fir timber from a vineyard in Switzerland. The composition binds together the old instruments and tonal quality of the early music ensemble with the present day.

Recording date: 2010

Track Listing:
1. Ile fantazies de Joskin (lute)
2. La plus de plus à 3
3. [no title] à 4
4. Anon: De tous biens plaine
5. De tous biens plaine à 3
6. Anon: De tous biens plaine à 3
7. De tous biens plaine à 4
8. Planquard: De tous bien à 4
9. Josquin / Adam von Fulda: Ach hülff mich lied à 4
10. Anon: La Spagna à 3
11. La Spagna à 5
12. [no title] à 4
13. Spinacino / Josquin: Fortuna desperata
14. Fortuna desperata à 3
15. Anon: Fortuna desperata à 4
16. Une musque de Biscaye à 4
17. Anon: Une mousse de Bisquaye
18. Je sey bien dire à 4
19. Spinacino / Josquin: La bernardina
20. A l'eure que je vous p.x. à 4
21. Helas madame à 3
22. Anon: Sy je perdoys mon amy
23. Si j'ay perdu mon amy à 3
24. Si j'ay perdu mon amy à 4
25. Anon: L'homme armé
26. L'homme armé à 4
27. Cela sans plus à 4
28. Anon: A Dieu, mes amours
29. Josquin / Amerbach: Adieu mes amours à 4
30. Adieu mes amours à 4
31. Arvo Pärt: Sei gelobt, du Baum (for baritone, gittern, violin & double bass) - Bonus track (world premiere recording)
32. Ile fantazies de Joskin à 3