Veni Creator

On this CD:

1. Veni creator, hymn for double chorus
Composed by Krzysztof Penderecki

Conducted by Pavel Kuhn

2. O Tod, wie bitter bist du (Oh death, how bitter is the remembrance), motet for 5 voices, Op. 110/3
Composed by Max Reger

Conducted by Pavel Kuhn

3. Exercitia Mythologica
Composed by Jan Novak

Conducted by Pavel Kuhn

4. Der Abend ("Senke strahlender Gott!"), song for a cappella chorus, Op. 34/1 No. 1 Der Abend
Composed by Richard Strauss

Conducted by Pavel Kuhn

5. Ehre sei Gott in der Hohe, for double chorus
Composed by Felix Mendelssohn

Conducted by Pavel Kuhn

6. Heilig, Heilig Ist Gott, der Herr Zebaoth, for double chorus
Composed by Felix Mendelssohn

Conducted by Pavel Kuhn

7. Un soir de neige, chamber cantata for 6 voices (or chorus), FP 126
Composed by Francis Poulenc

Conducted by Pavel Kuhn

8. Peace on Earth (Friede auf Erden), for chorus & instruments ad lib, Op. 13
Composed by Arnold Schoenberg

Conducted by Pavel Kuhn

Tracks:

Introitus: Ecce advenit
Graduale: Onmes de Saba
Communio: Omnes qui in Christo
Halleluja: Dies sanctificatus
Ofertorium: Tui sunt caeli
Hymnus: Creator alme siderum
Introitus: Gaudens gaudebo
Halleluja: Leatatus sum
Communio: Dicite Pusillanimes
Tractus Deus: Deus meus
Introitus: Misereris
Antiphon: Pueri Hebraeorum
Hymnus: Gloria
Graduale: Christus factus est
Halleluja: Hallelujah
Introitus: Resurrexi
Sequenz: Victimae paschalis laudes
Hymnus: Veni creator

Customer Reviews:

Relaxing..........2007-07-22

If you like gregorian chants... you will love this cd. Its perfect to just sit on you own... and meditate.

Great music, great price.......2007-05-07

I ordered this cd for a book club I was hosting on the book "The Pillars of the Earth" by Ken Follett. It was perfect "mood" music for the discussion and the price was unbeatable!

Definitely Meditative.......2007-03-09

The gift that these men are able to share is worth listening to. To be quiet in yourself and allow space for this soulful chanting is an experience in itself.

Gregorian Meditation.......2007-01-13

Great CD. My wife and I listen to it almost daily. We even use it for prayer sessions. Also the product was in perfect condition and and was as advertised. We're totaly satified.

Beautiful.......2007-01-13

I have bought Volumes I and II and am very pleased with the quality, the sound, and the style of the chanting. The lyrics are amazing, many of which come straight from the Bible, especially from the Book of Psalms. Let me know of other great Chant CD's, be they Gregorian, Amabrosian, or even Greek/Byzantine.

Average customer rating:

Clerveaux Monks
Hauntingly Beautiful
Meditate as you listen........
What a Magnificat!
Soothing

Salve Regina: Gregorian Chant

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Lost in Meditation: Meditative Gregorian Chants
Lost in Meditation: Meditative Gregorian Chants, Vol. 1
Gregorian Chants: The Best of the Benedictine Monks of St. Michael's
Catholic Latin Classics
Chant II

ASIN: B0000040ZC
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Gregorian Chant: Magnificat - Tu es pastor ovium
Gregorian Chant: Stabat Mater
Gregorian Chant: Lauda Sion
Gregorian Chant: Te deum (tonus monasticus)
Gregorian Chant: Adoro te
Gregorian Chant: O sacrum convivium (tonus monasticus)
Gregorian Chant: Ave, verum Corpus
Gregorian Chant: Tantum ergo
Gregorian Chant: O salutaris Hostia (tonus monasticus)
Gregorian Chant: Salve Regina (tonus monasticus)
Gregorian Chant: Ave Maria
Gregorian Chant: Sub tuum praesidium (tonus monasticus)
Gregorian Chant: Alma Redemptoris Mater (tonus monasticus)
Gregorian Chant: Inviolata
Gregorian Chant: Regina caeli (tonus monasticus)
Gregorian Chant: Victimae paschali laudes
Gregorian Chant: Veni, Creator Spiritus (tonus monasticus)

Customer Reviews:

Clerveaux Monks.......2007-07-11

It was quite wonderful to find this as the monks had none for sale at the Abbey.

Hauntingly Beautiful.......2007-01-19

This is an excellent cd. The emotion present in the monks' voices, espcially in the "Salve Regina" is deeply moving and beautiful. Highly recommended for anyone who is a fan of Gregorian chant, and a great first buy for someone who just wants to know what Gregorian chant sounds like.

Meditate as you listen...............2007-01-04

This lifts your heart to God as you listen. Beautifully done.

What a Magnificat!.......2006-09-01

I have listened to this recording since it was on a cassette tape and I always come back to it. What a gentle and sincere recording. The Magnificat is especially beautiful.

Soothing.......2006-02-21

I bought this disk while feeling depressed and not being able to focus. The chanting soothed me and gave me some piece of mind. Why then not 5 stars, you ask? Because the sound lacks a bit of clarity despite the remastering and the performance is good, but not exceptional.

Average customer rating:

Superb relaxation
What a recording
FANTASTIC!!
Please ignore the other review on this product!
It sounds like all the other chant cd's out there

Chant: The Anniversary Edition
Benedictine Monks of Santo Domingo de Silos
Manufacturer: Angel Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Chant II
Chant
Lost in Meditation: Meditative Gregorian Chants, Vol. 1
Lost in Meditation: Meditative Gregorian Chants
The Mystery Of Santo Domingo De Silos Gregorian Chant From Spain

ASIN: B0001XAP1A
Release Date: 2004-05-04

Tracks:

Alleluia Beatus Vir Qui Suffert (Modo I)
Mandatum Novum Do Vobis
Media Vita In Morte Sumus
Laetatus Sum
Veni Creator Spiritus
Genuit Puerpera Regem
Kyrie Fons Bonitatis
Nos Autem
Super Flumina
Qui Manducat
Salve Regina
Salve, Festa Dies
Rorate Saeli De Super
Jacta Cogitatum Tuum
Jucundare
Veni Sancte Spiritus
Respice, Domine
Alleluia, Oportebat

Tracks:

Christus Factus Est Pro Nobis
Puer Natus Est Nobis
Ave Mundi Specs Maria
Spiritus Domini
Os Iusti
A Solis Ortus Cardine
Oculi Omnium
Alleluia, Dies Santificatus
Viderunt Omnes
Puer Natus In Bethlehem
Verbum Caro
Tui Sunt
Pueri Herbraeorum Portantes
Improperium
Tristis Est
Una Hora
Traditor Autem-Benedictus
Ubi Caritas

Amazon.com

This set contains the two CDs that, it must be acknowledged, just about started the Chant craze in 1994. The music was actually recorded in the 1970s and 1980s (this new set has been remastered and sounds better than the 1994-95 releases did) and was on sale in Spain and offered at the Monastery of Santo Domingo de Silos for some time before it became "hot." Since then, hundreds of CDs of chant and similar music have appeared, many more polished then these, but perhaps these were so special because they weren't performances: they caught actual Monks in the act of praying, and the meditative quality is undeniably real. Whatever the case, this is music for reflection, calming down, re-fueling and getting away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life--which may be even more needed now than they were 10 years ago. Texts are not supplied and you won't need them; it's all about reverence and mood. Doing nothing but listening to this in 25-minute chunks will allow your breathing to slow and re-energize you. Each 55-minute CD will probably put you to sleep--and this isn't meant as a criticism. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

Superb relaxation.......2007-04-01

This is a wonderful compilation. I greatly enjoy listening to it when I'm working on painting or another activity where lower blood pressure is a must. Having two albums in one makes the deal even sweeter. If you alreaddy own Chant I and II, then there's no real value added, but with mine lost in a move, it was a great return of music I enjoy.

What a recording.......2006-12-01

Mystic,eternal, and meditative is how I would
describe these chants, a most perfect gift
for Christmas. This reissue sounds even better
than the ones released in the mid 90's.
I would highly recommend this recording to anyone.
The only rule is sit down, or lay back and enjoy.

FANTASTIC!!.......2006-01-25

BUYERS BE WARNED - this set should not purchased in lieu of the two original Chant CDs but rather as a supplement to them. Because although both the Amazon.com editorial review and one of the two reviews available for the Anniversary Edition both indicate it is nothing more than a remastered version of the original two Chant releases from 1994, a thorough check of the track listings at Amazon.com (and at angelrecords.com) demonstrates that this is not the case. The sequence of tracks is completely different and there are numerous tracks that appear on one of the original Chant CDs but not on the Anniversary Edition and vice versa. The most complete is the first of the two original discs as all but two of its nineteen tracks appear on the Anniversary Edition. Chant II has less than half a dozen of its tracks appearing on the Anniversary Edition.

However, this complaint aside, I love the Anniversary Edition. Although the track sequence is different from the original Chant CD and I find myself expecting certain chants to follow others, I will in time get used to the differences.

Moving on, this is not complicated material. There is no polyphonic, raucous, symphonic accompaniment. There are no rowdy, raging guitar riffs from the likes of Pepper Keenan or Jeff Loomis. There are no ultra-funky looped drum beats, booming bass, or rapped socio-political venom from the likes of the Ice Cube or Public Enemy. There is neither a Cecilia Bartoli nor a BB King to sustain things by sheer virtuosity. There are only the exquisitely simple, melodic sounds of monks singing/chanting in Latin in a great, grand hall with nary a trace of echo to be heard. This is gorgeous, sublime, invigorating music to soothe the sores of the soul and heal the hardened heart. The raw honesty and utter conviction of the `performers' on these two discs drive these pieces home with a power that more practiced and polished performers dare not dream of. Even with no transcription or translation of the chants inside the booklet, this is music to be enjoyed by everyone.

My recommendation is to procure Chant: The Anniversary Edition immediately and be thankful that such simple and supremely powerful music exists to bring some light into our seemingly ever-darkening world.

Thanks for reading.

Please ignore the other review on this product!.......2005-07-21

The other reviewer obviously does not realize that this is a re-release of both Chant I and Chant II. They have also been remastered. I highly recommend purchasing this 2-CD set because the quality is better than the originals, and the price is usually better than buying the first two separately. I wouldn't be without this in my music collection. Please do no let the ignorance of others keep you from experiencing this beautiful, ethereal music.

It sounds like all the other chant cd's out there.......2005-03-16

There is nothing special about this CD - buy Chant 1, save 5 bucks, and call it good

Average customer rating:

Absolutely stunning!
The Best Perotin Recording.
Magnificent
the Perotin cd
An imaginative, sensitive recording.

Perotin / The Hilliard Ensemble
Perotin , Anonymous , Paul Hillier , Charles Daniels , David James , The Hilliard Ensemble , John Potter , Rogers Covey-Crump , Gordon Jones , and Mark Padmore
Manufacturer: Ecm Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Machaut: Messe de Notre Dame / The Hilliard Ensemble
Josquin Desprez: Motets & Chansons
Guillaume de Machaut: Motets
Magister Leoninus: Sacred Music from 12th-Century Paris
Morimur

ASIN: B000025ZXO
Release Date: 2000-04-18

Tracks:

Viderunt omnes
Veni creator spiritus
Alleluia posui adiutorium
O Maria virginei
Dum sigillum
Isaias cecinit
Alleluia nativitas
Beata viscera
Siderunt principes

Amazon.com essential recording

It would be impossible to adequately describe the inherent haunting beauty of Perotin's music, or to fully detail its far-reaching influence in latter-12th-century France. The opening "Viderunt omnes" is a perfect illustration of the surprising vitality and highly charged sense of forward motion that can be obtained with relatively simple rhythmic impulses and harmonic devices. The male voices of the Hilliard Ensemble generate an electrifying resonance that vibrates everything in the room that's not solid or nailed down. You can literally feel this music, ringing with natural harmonics and set to body-moving rhythms. Yes, it's religious music, intended for lofty cathedral spaces; but it moves, and it's moving, and this recording gives it to you full blast. --David Vernier

Customer Reviews:

Absolutely stunning!.......2005-06-24

I am a musical novice. I was brought up listening to Pink Floyd, Santana, Joni Mitchell, and so on. I could not read music to save my life. Then someone introduced me to some Josquin Des Pres Rennaissance Polyphony - Missa L'homme arme sexti toni, Agnus Dei, to be specific - and I was totally hooked.

A few years later, someone introduced me to this CD, and I was even more taken. For some reason, I really like the Perotin-composed pieces - tracks 1, 3, 5, 7, 8 and 9. The Beata viscera (track 8) is other-worldly, and quite possibly one of the most beautiful things I've ever heard in my entire life!

You don't have to be a musical scholar to enjoy this - it's simply beautiful!

The Best Perotin Recording........2005-06-16

Perotin was a 12th century composer in Paris at the Cathedral of Notre Dame. We know almost nothing about him. Perotin (which is a diminutive of Peter) is described by a mid-thirteenth century student identified today as Anonymous IV who states that Perotin was the greatest composer of discant and better than another composer, Leonin, who came before him (it's not even 100% clear that they were at the Cathedral of Notre Dame). Now you know literally everything there is to know about Perotin.

Perotin composed organum--multi-voice compositions which move quickly over the traditional Gregorian chant which has been stretched out so that each note is very long. How long are they stretched out? Well, to give an example, the first track is over 11 minutes long!

The great thing about this music is that it takes you to another world--it is not supposed to be "emotive" or self-expressive. It represents pure, solemn, inspiration.

The Hilliard Ensemble has done a tremendous job in this recording. They make medieval music come to life, and their precision is fantastic.

Before organum, European music was essentially Gregorian chant--one melodic line with no rhythm or harmony. But with multiple voice parts, rhythm is necessary to keep the parts together. This also led to the creation of harmony. One can only imagine the wonder as the common medieval man wandered into the enormous Cathedral at Notre Dame, marveled at the stained glass, and heard this music. It must truly have been an inspiring occasion. This recording helps us partially reconnect with the wonder of this early music.

Magnificent.......2005-01-28

This is a great recording. Anyone who has the least interest in serious music should be familiar with Perotin's works, just as they would with all the "greatest" composers. This music is profound, sublime and truly beautiful. And, I might add, diametrically opposed and far superior to much of the "minimalist" music of today with which it is sometimes compared. The Hilliard Ensemble is incomparable.

the Perotin cd.......2003-04-10

I think tihs is simply the best Perotin cd you can have. The vocal quality is much more fluid (& knowledgeably middle-agey) than any other Perotin recordings I've heard.

An imaginative, sensitive recording........2002-10-18

Smooth, expressive, at times exquisite singing illuminates the music's richness and diversity. Music which is vast, erie, mysterious and yet pulsates with vigor and life, even lust for life. Such a marraige between the cosmic and the earthly is typical of the medeival artist and Perotin is one of the greatest. While the three anonymous works naturally show a less drastic and comprehensive spirit, they do reveal a few treasures of the great artistry of Notre Dame.

The Best Choral Album in the World...Ever!

Average customer rating:

I love it and I give it as a gift
MarMSED
Diverse range but the songs are butchered...

The Best Choral Album in the World...Ever!

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The #1 Choral Album
Choral Masterpieces
The Only Choral CD You'll Ever Need
Gloria: Music of Praise & Inspiration
The Greatest Cinema Choral Classics (2 CD SET)

ASIN: B00002ZZH6
Release Date: 2005-06-07

Tracks:

Gloria In Excelsis Deo - Academy And Chorus Of St Martin In The Fields
Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring - Choir Of King's College, Cambridge
Zadok The Priest - Ambrosian Singers
Miserere Mei, Deus - Gerald Finley
Veni Creator Spiritus - Choir Of The Monks Of The Benedictine Monastery Of Santo Domingo De Silos
Lacrimosa - London Philharmonic Choir
For Unto Us A Child Is Born - Ambrosian Singers
The Heavens Are Telling - John Shirley-Quirk
Panis Angelicus - Halle Choir
Ave Maria - Groupe Vocal De France
Ode To Joy - The Westminster Choir
Va, Pensiero - Chorus Of the Royal Opera House
Chorus Of Slave Girls - Chorus Of The National Theatre Of Sophia
Coro De Romanticos - Coro Cantores De Madrid
In Paradisum - Choir Of Kings College, Cambridge
Totus Tuus - Choir Of King's College, Cambridge
Song For Athene - Winchester Cathedral Choir
Celebration - London Symphony Chorus
Jerusalem - Royal Choral Society

Tracks:

Zion Hort Die Wachter - South German Madrigal Choir
Pleni Sunt Coeli Et Terra - Charles Brett
Hallelujah Chorus - Ambrosian Singers
Thou Knowest, Lord - Choir Of King's College, Cambridge
Veni Sancte Spiritus - Choir Of The Monks Of The Benedictine Monastery Of Santo Domingo De Silos
Awake The Harp - City Of Birmingham Symphony Chorus
And Then Shall Your Light Break Forth - New Philharmonia Chorus
L'Adieu Des Bergers - Choeurs Rene Duclos
Agnus Dei - Peter Barley
Cantique De Jean Racine - MONKS AND CHOIRBOYS OF DOWNSIDE ABBEY
Ave Verum Corpus - Schutz Consort
Begluckt Darf Nun Dich, O Heimat - Bavarian State Opera Chorus, Munich
Vedi! Le Fosche Notturne Spoglie - Chorus Of the Royal Opera House
Laudamus Te - Radio France Chorus
Chichester Psalms - Rachel Masters
The Lamb - Vasari Singers
Agnus Dei - Winchester Cathedral Choir
Requiem Aeternam - Choir Of Kings College, Cambridge
Dies Irae - Philharmonia Chorus
O Fortuna - London Philharmonic Choir
Pomp And Circumstance March No. 1 (Land Of Hope Glory) - Royal Choral Society

Customer Reviews:

I love it and I give it as a gift.......2006-12-11

This is the first collection of choral music that I've purchased and I love it. I own copies of operas and requiems and masses, but if you attend choral concerts, as I have been recently, you learn there is a huge colletion of choral music appart from the forms I've been listening to. I appreciate the producers selecting "Song for Athene" by Tavener and "Celebration (Standing Stone)" by McCartney. They are new to me and I love them. Disk 1 ends with "Jerusalem" and Disk 2 ends with "Land of Hope and Glory." As an American I rarely hear these and I am so glad they were included. I believe this album was intended to help popularize choral music and I believe the selections do fine job towards that end.

I know snobs rage against popularizing classical music, but everyone deserves exposure to the beauty of song. I will also mention here "The East Village Opera Company" because they work to popularize opera by setting it to a rock beat. They do a fine job but also get criticized for attempting to popularize classical music.

"The Best Choral Album in the World...Ever" was so popular with my teen-age daughter that it was hard to get it back from her. I give the album as a gift to nephews and nieces.

MarMSED.......2005-08-27

The music selections are extraordinary. The only problem has to do with the balance of sound. There are some parts that are very loud, and some that are so very soft. You have to continually adjust the volume.

Diverse range but the songs are butchered..........2005-07-24

Well, this CD isn't horrible by any stretch, but it is irritating to someone who's more than a casual listener of choral music. I'm by no means as musically "literate" as many reviewers out there, but I have a collection of probably twenty-five or thirty choral CD's and this is one that will probably be gathering dust in the back of the CD book.

The peices are well-performed for the most part, but they are hopelessly edited. Beethoven's Ode to Joy is somewhere around twenty four minutes, but this CD only includes an arrangement of about five minutes. The beautiful Miserere is, uncut, almost eleven minutes but is cut down to five and a half minutes here.

Looking back, I should have realized the major editing that would be involved, just by the sheer number of peices on it. I'm familiar with a great many of them and I know they're too long to fit onto a seventy minute disc without some major cutting going on. I just didn't reason that out before I shelled out the money for it.

Bottom line. This CD has decent singing, but is nothing special. If you're a newcomer to this genre, you might get this as a quick overview of the different types of choral music out there, but if you're any kind of an avid listener, this CD will drive you insane with the severity of the cuts. Beginners, if you're looking for a great collection CD, you'd do better to look at "Choral Moods". It doesn't have the diversity in styles of this one, but it will introduce you to incredibly talented composers. To the old hats out there, steer clear of this one and look to CD's by your preferred individual composers themselves. It's more money, but much less frustration in the long run. The old sayings are sometimes the best: You get what you pay for.

The Origin of Fire: Music and Visions of Hildegard von Bingen

Average customer rating:

A Wonderful CD
Great music; interesting group
My humble opinion.....
Completely beautiful
The Origins of Fire: Music and Visions of Hildegard von Bingen

The Origin of Fire: Music and Visions of Hildegard von Bingen

Manufacturer: Harmonia Mundi Fr.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

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1000: A Mass for the End of Time / Anonymous 4
American Angels
Wolcum Yule: Celtic and British Songs and Carols - Anonymous 4 with Andrew Lawrence-King
La Bele Marie: Songs to the Virgin from 13th-Century France
Hildegard von Bingen: Canticles of Ecstasy

ASIN: B0006OBW8E
Release Date: 2005-02-08

Tracks:

Hymn - Veni Creator Spiritus
Sequence - Veni Spiritus Eternorum
Antiphon - O Quam Mirabilis Est
Vision 1 - The Fire Of Creation
Vision 1 - The Fire Of Creation
Sequence - O Ignis Spiritus Paracliti
Vision 2 - Wisdom And Her Sisters
Vision 2 - Wisdom And Her Sisters
Responsory - O Felix Anima
Vision 3 - The Fiery Spirit
Vision 3 - The Fiery Spirit
Hymn - O Ignee Spiritus
Vision 4 - Love
Vision 4 - Love
Antiphon - Caritas Habundat In Omnia
Antiphon - O Eterne Deus
Hymn - Beata Nobis Gaudia

Amazon.com

The bad news is that this is Anonymous 4's final recording. The good news is that it's one of their best. Aside from a pair of brief 9th-century chants that flank the main program, the disc focuses on the music of Hildegard von Bingen, the 12th-century Benedictine nun whose liturgical works broke new ground in their visionary texts, rich imagery, and melodic range. The selections here relate to themes associated with the Holy Spirit--the fire of creation, wisdom, the life-giving spirit, and love. The imagery of Hildegard's visionary texts is replete with references to the basic elements--air, earth, fire, and water. The results are boldly original, at least within the restricted confines of chant, which offer compelling listening experiences as performed in the lustrous tones of Anonymous 4. The program includes a pair of Hildegard's most-rhapsodic extended visionary pieces, the consoling "O spirit of fire, bringer of comfort," and "I am the great and fiery power," whose soaring opening musical lines still can shock. Harmonia Mundi, as usual, captures the purity of Anonymous 4's singing in vivid sonics and provides deluxe production values, including a profusely illustrated booklet, with full texts and translations. --Dan Davis

Interview with Marsha Genensky of Anonymous 4
Anonymous 4's Marsha Genensky speaks about the ensemble's swan song in our special interview.

Customer Reviews:

A Wonderful CD .......2007-04-29

I own 13 A-4 discs and this is my second favorite, after On Yoolis Night. The recording sounds a little muddy and they do, uncharacteristically take some liberties with the translations, but .... This was recorded in a real chapel (as were most of their later releases) and the extensive liner notes are, as usual, present. The presentation and delivery are among the best that A-4 have ever done. These 4 ladies each have wonderful voices that blend together magnificently. If you are an A-4 fan, you need to own this.

Great music; interesting group.......2007-01-05

The music of Hildegard Von Bingen is, without question, some of the most important we have from the Middle Ages. This album has a very capable set of performances by Anonymous 4, but the drawback is the very sameness of sound to each and every track. Yes, they sing well, but where is the variety of timbre? Where are the percussion instruments that have been used in other recordings and performances of these works? They could have used some help from some men's voices, too. Otherwise, it's perfectly recorded, but with repeat listenings becomes more trying.

My humble opinion............2005-12-28

I gave this CD an above average rating. I did so because this is the 3rd CD that I have purchased from Anonymous 4 and to be quite honest they all sound the same to me. I personally feel that the style of Hildegard is heavy, crisp, intentional and complicated. It is unique compared to other styles of anicent choral music. Anonymous 4 has a very light, airy almost contemporary feel to whatever they sing. In the CD insert Anonymous 4 goes on to express how they prepared to sing the medeival music in latin with a German accent because that is where Hildegard was from, and that this is how she would have sung her music. But honestly I don't think one can tell. Like I said, this is my third CD from them and they all sound the same. Don't get me wrong ladies. You 4 have gorgeous voices but I have found that the albums by Sequentia that sing in Hildegard's von Bingen tradition to be more authentic. I recommend to those interested to try Chanticles of Extasy by Sequentia or any of Sequentia's albums. You'll understand what I mean after you compare them for yourselves.

Completely beautiful.......2005-11-08

This musical is relaxing uplifting, simple yet complicated. A total mental experience filled with beauty.

The Origins of Fire: Music and Visions of Hildegard von Bingen.......2005-08-14

If you enjoy the music of Anonymous 4, you'll be thouroughly impressed with this presentation of Hildegard's music to God. Excellent is not enough praise for this interpretation.

Average customer rating:

Early Vocal Music at its Best
Superb Singing
Seeds Sown in Medieval Times Flower with a Contemporary Work

Stella Maris
Trio Mediaeval , Anonymous Notre Dame School , English Anonymous , Sungji Hong , Perotin , and English Polyphony
Manufacturer: Ecm Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000AGK7HU
Release Date: 2005-10-10

Tracks:

Medieval Pieces Of The English And French Vocal Styles From The 13th And 14th Centuries
Medieval Pieces Of The English And French Vocal Styles From The 13th And 14th Centuries
Medieval Pieces Of The English And French Vocal Styles From The 13th And 14th Centuries
Medieval Pieces Of The English And French Vocal Styles From The 13th And 14th Centuries
Medieval Pieces Of The English And French Vocal Styles From The 13th And 14th Centuries
Medieval Pieces Of The English And French Vocal Styles From The 13th And 14th Centuries
Medieval Pieces Of The English And French Vocal Styles From The 13th And 14th Centuries
Missa Lumen De Lumine
Missa Lumen De Lumine
Missa Lumen De Lumine
Missa Lumen De Lumine
Missa Lumen De Lumine

Customer Reviews:

Early Vocal Music at its Best.......2007-05-14

Trio Mediaeval can easily claim the title of the best early music female group worldwide.

This is simply great and moving music and while there is a prevailing sense of somber piety throughout, there is enough variety in each selection to keep the listener thoroughly engaged. Trio Mediaeval's deeply expressive singing and virtuoso technique are up to the highest standards and you have to consider that some of the pieces make rather pressing demands on the Scandinavian singers.

ECM proved once more that, even in early music works (if not particuraly in this genre), provides unprecedented quality of performance in every sense.

Superb Singing.......2007-05-13

Trio Mediaeval makes glorious, soul-stirring music and this recording majestically brings their unique sound home: you'll feel their voices reaching inside you.

Seeds Sown in Medieval Times Flower with a Contemporary Work.......2005-09-29

The Trio Mediaeval continues its fine reputation and tradition as an exemplary group capable of capturing the essence of the Gregorian chant while encouraging contemporary composers to emulate this classic form of music with new compositions. For this their third recoding the Trio continues to survey early music for a cappela voices and this time adds the tenor voice of John Potter as the ethereal leader in 'O Maria, stella maris, conductus'. The result is incandescent music making.

In addition to the medieval works for which they are well known, this album present the premiere recording of 'Missa Lumen de Lumine' by contemporary Korean composer Sunji Hong. While the twenty-five minute Mass incorporates the fundamental structure of the original chants, Hong suffuses the writing with subtle contemporary moods and passages that are astonishingly appropriate. The work is divided into Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, and Agnus Dei. The performance is impeccable contributing to the fact that Hong has amazing gifts as a composer. Highly Recommended. Grady Harp

Average customer rating:

One of the Best Classical Music of our time
A celestial experience & a wonderful memorial piece
SIMPLY EXQUISITE
Glorious
An Excellent Introduction

John Rutter: Requiem

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000009OQB
Release Date: 1998-08-11

Tracks:

1. Requiem Aeternam
2. Out Of The Deep
3. Pie Jesu
4. Sanctus
5. Agnus Dei - DUKE DOBING
6. The Lord Is My Shepherd
7. Lux Aeterna
Veni Sancte Spiritus
What Sweeter Music
Hymn To The Creator Of Light
Cantate Domino
Cantus
Te Deum

Customer Reviews:

One of the Best Classical Music of our time.......2007-03-14

The Rutter's Requiem is one of the most beautiful music written in our time. It has a lyrical and very lovely melody, meaningful words and wonderful SATB voices. Highly recommended.

A celestial experience & a wonderful memorial piece.......2007-01-04

I agree with so much of what's been said in the other reviews ... "it never fails to get me," etc. I wanted to add my 5 stars and a few comments, as well.

I incidentally discovered this work when a local classical radio station broadcast "Pie Jesu," and like the writer above, I scrambled for a pen. Honestly, I still have the same sense of wonder and amazement that I first experienced that day, every time I hear the piece. I've since researched and listened to other versions of "Pie Jesu", and I agree that this is the finest version ever recorded. (I would say the same for the entire "Requiem" on this CD.) This version of this composition is something that you "feel" as much as you hear it.

John Rutter apparently wrote this specifically for the acoustics of King's College Cathedral, and the superb technical quality of this recording adds a lot to the experience. There are wonderful French horn and oboe solos in several pieces (not so in other versions I've heard.) Rutter comments that he wrote it in memoriam, after he suffered a personal loss, and I believe he's musically expressed the human experience of death & loss as well as anyone ever has. So when I lost my father in October 2006, I included several movements in the funeral service: "Pie Jesu", sung in Latin with just a few phrases repeated throughout; Psalm 23, sung in English, at times hauntingly; and Lux Aeterna, again Latin, in which I sense a celebration of one's life, and the beginning of one's healing after a loss.

If you're interested in a CD to listen to, when you're mostly in the mood for a spiritual experience - this one comes highly recommended.

SIMPLY EXQUISITE.......2000-07-28

We had heard of neither Rutter nor Cleobury until a chance airing of "Te Deum" on the local classical station's sacred music concert had us scrambling madly for pen and paper and thence directly to the music store.

This CD contains a stellar cross-section of Rutter's work. He combines the melodic simplicity of Bach with a distinctly modern sensibility. The combined effect of the music's sheer beauty, the exquisite skill of the Choir of King's College, Cambridge, and the magisterial hush of the King's College Chapel make for an ethereal and thoroughly transformative musical experience.

It's truly *lovely.* Words simply cannot convey the listening experience, let alone do it justice. This recording will blow you away, if not change your life.

--VMS/PTS

Glorious.......2000-06-07

This is a fine recording of John Rutter's masterpiece. The Choir of King's is exceptional. The recording features the full orchestral accompaniment with amazing soloists, specifically flute, cello and oboe. I am particularly found of performances by all-male choirs of this composer's music - Pie Jesu is breathtaking as a boy soprano solo. I believe this to be the best recording yet on disc of the Requiem. The programme is rounded out by other secular choral works. The Wallace Collection brass ensemble is a great guest on the disc as well. Highly Recommended.

An Excellent Introduction.......1999-12-08

This CD is a near-perfect introduction to the music of John Rutter, a composer who has forged a place in the hearts of many listeners. Although he has written for most media (including solo instruments and orchestra), it is his choral music that commands the most attention- primarily as there is so much of it! And on this disc, the King's College Choir explores some highlights of the last ten years or so, including a number of works written for them. The Requiem is itself a fine work. I have sung it on two occasions so I know the demands it places on performers; most of these are overcome so well that it sounds like an easy work. There are a few places where the orchestra drowns out the choir (slightly smaller perhaps than Rutter intended) but in general the work is an absolute joy to listen to from beginning to end- every emotion is felt, indeed every note seems to be just right. In the other works, there is even clearer evidence of Rutter's diversity and personal style: most speak for themselves although I was rather surprised by "Hymn to the Creator of Light", the opening of which bears echoes of John Tavener. The final two tracks stand out above all the rest in that they feature the Wallace Collection, surely the most beautiful brass band I have ever heard, in two memorable showcases- "Cantus", a single word setting that makes glad the heart and may well draw tears from sensitive listeners; and "Te Deum", in which the scintillating combination of organ, brass and drums will sweep you away in a wave of pomp and majesty. If you want to discover Rutter, this is the disc for you; if you or your friends and loved ones already know and like Rutter, this disc will make a fine addition to any collection or gift list.

Chant Corse: Manuscrits franciscains (17th-18th century) /Ensemble Organum * Peres

Average customer rating:

A rich mystical experience.. East meets West
Truly spiritual
Welcome to the Past

Chant Corse: Manuscrits franciscains (17th-18th century) /Ensemble Organum * Peres
Anonymous , Corsican Chant , Gregorian Chant , Marcel Peres , and Ensemble Organum
Manufacturer: Harmonia Mundi Fr.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000025YTH
Release Date: 1994-06-14

Tracks:

Laeta Devote
Kyrie Eleison
Gloria In Excelsis
Sanctus
Paschalis Admirabilis
Tantum Ergo Sacramentum
Tota Pulchra Es Maria
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Requiem: Veni Creator Spiritus

Customer Reviews:

A rich mystical experience.. East meets West.......2003-04-19

I picked up this CD on a whim, I happen to be an ardent fan of religious music (I myself am Byzantine Catholic) especially the varying types of ancient chant,both Eastern (Orthodox) and Western. This CD absolutely blew me away. The best I can describe it is a fusion of sophisticated western polyphony with the Eastern "Greek" tonal style. Absolutely amazing. This is a must have CD!

Truly spiritual.......2000-07-13

The (anonymous) composer(s) use pitches and meters much different than what is typically heard in 16-17th century chant. Listeners don't have to be religious to feel the spirituality and the beauty of this music.

Welcome to the Past.......2000-06-24

I must commend Marcel Peres for his devotion to reviving music in the manner which it was intended. This recording of Corsican Chant is the most convincing and truly uplifting music I have heard in my lifetime... I shall not despair in humanity any longer! Listen to the rich, dense polyphony and clear voices of the traditional singers as they flawlessly reconstruct music of the 16th and 17th centuries. When you open this CD, you will open a time capsule.

Average customer rating:

What can I say !
a voice teacher and early music fan
Another Rutter Keeper!
worship of god made mostglorius in this cd
Heavenly Music

Sing Ye Heavens - Hymns for All Time
Cambridge Singers , and John Rutter
Manufacturer: Collegium
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

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Chants | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00004WGEZ
Release Date: 2000-08-02

Tracks:

Hymns From The Psalms: O God, Our Help In Ages Past
Hymns From The Psalms: The King Of Love My Shepherd Is
Hymns From The Psalms: A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
Invocations: Veni, Creator Spiritus
Invocations: Lo! He Comes With Clouds Descending
Invocations: Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
The Eucharist: Pange Lingua
The Eucharist: Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence
Passiontide And Easter: Vexilla Regis
Passiontide And Easter: Drop, Drop Slow Tears
Passiontide And Easter: When I Survey The Wondrous Cross
Passiontide And Easter: Christ The Lord Is Risen Today
Folk Hymns: Be Thou My Vision
Folk Hymns: All Things Bright And Beautiful
Folk Hymns: Morning Has Broken
Folk Hymns: Amazing Grace
Folk Hymns: We Plough The Fields, And Scatter
Evening Hymns: Glory To Thee, My God, This Night
Evening Hymns: The Day Thou Gavest, Lord Is Ended
Thanksgiving And Dedication: Eternal God
Thanksgiving And Dedication: Christ Is Made The Sure Foundation

Amazon.com

It's good to have the clean-vowelled, fresh-voiced Cambridge Singers back in action with composer John Rutter, who demonstrates once again his considerable talents as a choral director. Here, he also had his work cut out arranging 15 of the tracks (and composing one other). Divided up into various categories, such as "the Eucharist" and "folk hymns," this album will delight the confirmed hymn enthusiast, provided that he or she doesn't insist on the pure, as-written product. Rutter's reworkings range from the bold and brassy (occasionally deliciously over the top--what would Martin Luther have thought of the naughtiness in "A mighty fortress is our God"?) to those of harp-accompanied simplicity, not least in the charming lines of "Be thou my vision." Several tasteful descants are models of their kind. There are some surprises at which to chuckle. For example, not the expected brass and organ job on "We plough the fields and scatter," but a dainty, tripping harp accompaniment to the familiar melody, such as Haydn might have wedded to a Scottish folksong. Occasional numbers might be too saccharine for some tastes, but there are cunningly placed samples of Gregorian chant, Tallis, and Gibbons to provide contrast and cleanse the palate. --Andrew Green

Customer Reviews:

What can I say !.......2007-02-15

Having listened to this twice... It is difficult to find words for something so Glorious. It doesn't almost hurt, but I almost exploded in heavenly rapture several times.
You will need to get two. It is not music that you will want to keep to yourself.

a voice teacher and early music fan.......2007-02-02

'The hymns heard on this disc span over 15 centuries of the history of Christian Europe, and have been chosen simply to make up a varied program which can be pleasant to hear.' Some items are accompanied by organ, some by harp where a lighter sound was more appropriate. Some are unaccompanied as in the Gregorian hymns, and five of the grandest hymns are given festival arrangements using brass, timpani, percussion and organ. Although the perspective of this album is Anglican,it must be noted that the Anglican hymn tradition has been notably eclectic. Hymnody is forever changing. 'This album does NOT attempt to reflect the most recent changes-the emergence of pop and folk-influenced worship songs and choruses has been well taken care of elsewhere, and time alone will tell whether there is any lasting worth in this most drastic upheaval of worship style.' Therefore, it is timely to reflect upon the immense riches of hymns built up over so many centuries, when they are at great risk of neglect. John Rutter has produced an amazing number of arrangements as well as original songs, and they are all first-rate. Choirs throughout the world (who are skilled enough to sing them)take great pleasure in working with his selections, and audiences, regardless of listening experience seem to enjoy them. They are tuneful, clever and unusual!!!
The Cambridge Singers number : 10 female sopranos,2 male and 4 female altos, 7 tenors and 8 basses. They sing extremely well with clear consonents and well-shaped vowels and plenty of gusto. I miss the boy sopranos that usually sing in the British choirs, but that's only a personal preference, and it surely is not Rutter's preference, because I have never known him to make use of them. A truly inspiring recording, nonetheless.

Another Rutter Keeper!.......2003-02-17

Rutter has won many fans throughout the world for his passionate, creative yet tasteful contributions to church music. Here is a hymn collection with several traditional choices along with Rutter originals.

Several comprise Rutter's remakes, which is most cases are very diginified and not at all distractive to the thrust of the original. The orchestration is superb, and the Cambridge Singers of course provide outstanding choral might.

Well worth consideration to the church music collection.

worship of god made mostglorius in this cd.......2002-04-30

i was 1st introduced to john rutters music on a radio program... when i 1st heard the arrangement of christ the lord is risen today presented in this cd i pictured a grand celebration of the solemn mass of the resurection of our lord and pictured in particular the grand procession i pictured this being celebrated... this hymn and cd does as best as humanly possible represent the great glory of god and does as its title suggests sing with the heavens and for you fellow traditionalists this is a strongly recomended cd

Heavenly Music.......2001-10-15

The hymns of SING, YE HEAVENS represent 1500 years of music in the Christian church. Pure and rich are these hymns by the Cambridge Singers with their perfect diction that leaves nothing for improvement and their tone quality that envelops the listener. The beauty of the harp, the organ, and the brass adds to the pleasure this CD brings to the listener's ear and heart.

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