Track Listing

1. Ego Flos Campi for 7 voices
2. Osculetur me, motet for 5 voices (from Motets Book IV from Canticis canticorum)
3. Dum Esset Rex, antiphon
4. Surge Propera Amica Mea
5. Quam pulchra es, for 4 voices
6. Nigra sum, antiphon
7. Veni dilecte mi, motet for 5 voices, M. viii (S. v/124)
8. Vadam, et circumibo civitatem, motet for 6 voices
9. Tota pulchra es, alleluia in mode 1 (GR 630)
10. Ego flos campi, for 8 voices
11. Nigra Sum Sed Formosa
12. Laeva ejus, antiphon
13. Hortus Conclusus
14. Nigra sum, motet for 5 voices (from Motets Book IV from Canticis canticorum)
15. Speciosa facta es, antiphon
16. Veni dilecte mi, motet
17. Trahe me post te, Virgo Maria, motet for 5 voices
18. Jam hiems transit, antiphon
19. Vidi speciosam, motet for 6 voices

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2410 in Music
• Brand: STILE ANTICO
• Released on: 2009-04-14
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Hybrid SACD - DSD, Import
• Dimensions: .25 pounds

Album Description
Stile Antico, "bright new stars" of Renaissance polyphony sing choral works by Palestrina, Lassus, Victoria and other 16th -century masters based on Song of Songs by King Solomon.

Amazon.com
As the title suggests, this recording is a compilation of renaissance compositions using texts from the Song of Solomon, the biblical collection of love poetry, purportedly written by King Solomon to a Shulamite girl. Many groups have fished in this pool before, but Stile Antico's repertoire choices and exquisite program notes (written by Matthew O'Donovan, one of the basses) draw a well delineated link between the surge in medieval popularity and the suitability of these texts for the purposes of the Marian 'cult' that portrayed the Virgin Mary as the representation of the church as a whole. This album holds together as a concert and a concept better than any other attempt at this repertoire that I have heard but Stile Antico really set themselves apart when they perform. These musicians work without a conductor, which is common practice for chamber instrumentalists, but uncommon in a group of this size. Perilous as the concept might sound for a group of singers, I've never heard musicians present this repertoire with such a high level of commitment. This music has seldom been more engaging. -- Hugo Munday

Customer Reviews

Another wonderful recording
I'm embarrassed to say that I wasn't familiar with Stile Antico until a recent Harmonia Early Music podcast where Music for Compline, their other album, was recommended. By the end of the next hour, I had downloaded all three of their albums from emusic. If you are a fan of either early music, or chamber choirs, Stile Antico is another group that must be part of your regular rotation, taking a rightful spot next to the Sixteen, Tallis Scholars, etc.

The group works without a conductor, which means that they need to listen to each other much more carefully, and time themselves with each other rather than relying on direction from a leader. It makes the whole choir function much more as an organic living being rather than a series of parts going together.

I particularly like this album as there's a lot of under-recorded music on it - not the same old standby pieces that make up so many early choral albums.

Another winner for Stile Antico
A chance glance at Stile Antico's CD Music for Compline while browsing evoked a second look and subsequent purchase. It was immediately obvious upon listening that this group was special and this CD makes a superb trio.

Each of the ensembles performing this type of music has its own appeal to me. It seems to me I am better able to separate out the individual voices of this group. I don't know if this is due to the way it was recorded or of the ensemble itself, but I have no complaint.

The music is ravishingly beautiful. Do yourself a favor and purchase it.

Exquisite!
I was so impressed with the phenomenal sound bites that I heard on NPR, but the full length cd is absolutely out of this world! The music carries my spirit to a higher plane of existence. Very nice way to calm the soul while commuting. Helps me avoid road rage.