Track Listing

1. Hodie Christus Natus Est
2. O Nobilis Nativitas/O Mira Dei/O Decus Virgineum/Apparuit
3. Lux de Luce
4. Alleluya: A Nywe Werke
5. Verbum Supernum Prodiens
6. Balaam de Quo Vaticinans
7. Ave Maria
8. Gabriel, Fram Heven-King
9. Lullaby: I Saw a Swete Semly Syght
10. Prolis Eterne Genitor/Psallat Mater Gracie
11. Vox Clara, Ecce, Intonat
12. De Supernis Sedibus
13. Omnes de Saba
14. Puellare Gremium/Purissima Mater
15. Lullay, Lullay: Als I Lay on Yoolis Night
16. Tria Sunt Munera
17. Orto Sole Serene/Origo Viri/Virga Iesse
18. Peperit Virgo
19. Ecce Quod Natura
20. Solis Ortus Cardine
21. Ther Is No Rose of Swych Vertu
22. Videntes Stellam
23. Nowel, Owt of Your Slepe Aryse

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3201 in Music
• Released on: 1993-09-01
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Dimensions: .27 pounds

Amazon.com essential recording
This follow-up to Anonymous 4's debut "hit," An English Ladymass, is even better. From the choice of repertoire to the proficiency of the singing to the recorded sound, this is a standard-setting production. The 23 works--plainchants, carols, songs, and motets--invoke various aspects of the Christmas story: the visitation of the angel Gabriel, tributes to the Virgin Mary, gifts of the Magi, and hymns of praise for the birth of Christ. The sound is stunning: resonant yet intimate, warm yet vibrant. And while you can hear the individual character of each voice, together these four women make a sound of uncommon purity and beauty. The technical facility is evident with each closing phrase, each perfect unison. Critics are advised to jealously reserve such words as outstanding, excellent, and superior. But this is one of those recordings that deserve all those descriptions. --David Vernier

Customer Reviews

True magic
The purity and perfection of tone in this collection makes the haunting selections a treat for anyone with a liking for mediaeval music. The Anonymous 4 reproduce chant exactly as it was intended to be done - not in an operatic style (and I am an opera buff!), but with the style of a mediaeval monastery.

The beauty of this recording is such that I often use it during meditation and prayer - and what, after all, is Christmas about?

Absolutely wonderful listening
I realize that there are muscians (including friends) who are not fond of the Anonymous 4 because of their "head sound" and lack of vibrato. I have also attended lectures that said that is what makes them "authentic". Fortunately, I am not a musician and can simply say I don't care, I enjoy their sound.

Even more than their voices, I appreciate their digging into old manuscripts and resurrecting excellent but forgotten pieces. The plainchant on this cd is taken from a 13th century antiphoner from Worcester. The remainder of the music is also English but polyphonic.

The acrostic hymn A solis ortus cardine is included with only its Christmas portion; the carols all have refrains (part of the distinction made here between carols and songs) and are from the 14th-15th century. There are five motets in traditional style. In short, despite the restrictions of time and place, the cd is varied.

This is a top notch album of traditional Christmas music - the chant and polyphony encouraged by the liturgical documents for use in the Latin Rite Catholic Church. This album shows why it is worth keeping as an active tradition.

My Favorite Christmas Music
I am relatively odd about Christmas music. I don't break out the Bing Crosby or Nat King Cole like everyone else. Instead I find that I like medieval stuff for Christmas. And this is about as perfect a Medieval Christmas album as you can ask for. The Anonymous 4 is a group of lovely female voices who, on this disc, sing the English medieval carols that made them famous initially. Put it on the CD with a roaring log fire and some Eggnog! Wonderful!