With “Paris 1200”, Paul Van Nevel and the Huelgas Ensemble explore the School of Notre Dame, revealing the richness and ingenuity of early medieval polyphony. 
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The Huelgas Ensemble, conducted by Paul Van Nevel, immerses us in the heart of the Notre Dame School with this new recording, Paris 1200, released in January 2026. At the turn of the 12th and 13th centuries, the construction of Notre Dame Cathedral made Paris a major artistic centre where the school of the same name was born, the cradle of European polyphony. From Léonin to Pérotin, composers who are largely forgotten today, precise notation of pitches and durations permanently transformed the history of Western music. This disc takes us back to that founding moment.
The selected pieces, ranging from organum to motet, highlight the rigour and ingenuity of this Parisian musical tradition. The ensemble favours polyphonic clarity and vocal balance, bringing out both the complexity and beauty of the melodic lines. Among the highlights are Viderunt omnes and Haec Dies, perfect illustrations of the harmonic and rhythmic richness of this pioneering school.
Paris 1200 is an essential recording for lovers of early music and those curious about medieval polyphony. An immersion not to be missed!
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