Track Listing

1. English Ladymass (from Salisbury Cathedral): Prosa: Gaude virgo salutata (chant)
2. English Ladymass (from Salisbury Cathedral): Polyphonic song: Edi beo thu hevene quene
3. English Ladymass (from Salisbury Cathedral): Introit: Salve mater redemptoris / Salve lux langentium / Salve sine spina / Salve sanct
4. English Ladymass (from Salisbury Cathedral): Motet: Lux polis refulgens / Lux et gloria
5. English Ladymass (from Salisbury Cathedral): Kyrie: Kyria christifera
6. English Ladymass (from Salisbury Cathedral): Gloria
7. English Ladymass (from Salisbury Cathedral): Motet: Spiritus et alme / Gaude virgo salutata
8. English Ladymass (from Salisbury Cathedral): Song: Miro genere
9. English Ladymass (from Salisbury Cathedral): Gradual: Benedicta et venerabilis
10. English Ladymass (from Salisbury Cathedral): Alleluia: Alme iam ad gaudia / Alme matris dei/ Alleluya per te dei
11. English Ladymass (from Salisbury Cathedral): Sequence: Missus Gabriel de celis
12. English Ladymass (from Salisbury Cathedral): Prose: Gaude virgo gratiosa (chant)
13. English Ladymass (from Salisbury Cathedral): Polyphonic song: Salve virgo virginum
14. English Ladymass (from Salisbury Cathedral): Offertory: Felix namque (chant)
15. English Ladymass (from Salisbury Cathedral): Sanctus & Benedictus
16. English Ladymass (from Salisbury Cathedral): Sequence / Song: Jesu Cristes milde moder
17. English Ladymass (from Salisbury Cathedral): Agnus dei: Virtute numinis
18. English Ladymass (from Salisbury Cathedral): Communion: Beata viscera (chant & song)
19. English Ladymass (from Salisbury Cathedral): Rondellus: Flos regalis
20. English Ladymass (from Salisbury Cathedral): Chant setting: Ite missa est
21. English Ladymass (from Salisbury Cathedral): Hymn: Ave maris stella

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #35632 in Music
• Released on: 1993-03-08
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Dimensions: .25 pounds

Amazon.com essential recording
In the six years since this female quartet astonished the music world with its clear- voiced, impeccably sung renditions of medieval chant and polyphonic music, chant rose from the dark and dusty corners of classical music to enjoy a phenomenal run at center stage. New and reissued chant recordings achieved sales figures normally reserved for popular music. This is the recording that started it all (that Spanish monks disc came later), winning awards and earning near- permanent resident status on the national charts. Spiritually moving and vocally revelatory, this program re-creates a kind of mass sung in English churches during the 13th and 14th centuries. With their warm tone and perfect intonation, these four singers achieve an expressiveness that is rare among chant interpreters, most effective in the seductive, highly ornamented "Kyrie." The sound is exemplary--although a studio recording, it perfectly conveys the atmosphere of an English cathedral. --David Vernier

Customer Reviews

A spiritual massage of the soul
Transport yourself to another time and another place with this mystical, mysterious, ethereal gem of an album. Fans of the "Chant" series will find themselves right at home, but this recording has a much broader appeal. While the "Chant" recordings focused on plainsong which tends towards unison tedium, this album -- and all the works of the fantastic Anonymous 4 -- offers a more accessible, harmonious sound. The beautiful, acapella harmonies of these four women are bound to fascinate and soothe any listener from any time. Putting in this CD and immersing yourself in the waves of sound can be a truly transcendant experiance; just listening will stop you in your tracks and allow you some quiet, contemplative time to center yourself or calm frazzled nerves. What better way to take a break from the hectic, day-to-day tribulations of the modern world than by escaping to another time entirely? Listen, and find yourself inexorably drawn back to a midieval -- almost primal -- calm. An essential recording: not to be missed.

A collection of gems
This recording, which breathes a vibrant life into these anonymous mediaeval compositions, is a treasure, and one of the most rewarding discs in the recent avalanche of early music recordings. The spectacular singing of this quartet is well-known, but at least as much praise must be given to their generous and shrewd selection of tunes.

This disc is particularly notable for the 'Sanctus' they have chosen - it may well be the most perfect 'Sanctus' you'll ever hear: concise, gorgeous, polished, simple, yet possessing a profound beauty - it is a gem. Also of great interest are 'Jesu Christe Milde Moder' - a Stabat Mater in the Old English vernacular, and a beautiful version of the Marian hymn 'Ave Maris Stella'.

Ethereal Music.
I first learned of the existence of Anonymous 4 from a National Public Radio program. This music deserves a wider exposure, but it also has some of the appeal of being something secret or rare. It expresses the timelessness of faith with lyrics sung in the ancient Latin and having been written so long ago. "Chant" by the Benedictine Monks was popular a few years ago and should not be confused with Anonymous 4's music. The "Polyphany" in the title is important. Chant creates a wonderful reverant and cloistered atmosphere. But, the four voices singing in polyphany creates something angelic and wonderful. I think this music is best enjoyed in the background while reading an inspiring book or taking comtemplative time. It is serious and spiritual but also relaxing and meditative. I highly recommend this particular CD.