Track Listing

1. Isaiah's Prophecy/The Sybil's Prophecy: Iudicii Signum
2. Conductus: Adest Sponsus
3. Gabriel's Prophecy: Oiet/Virgines
4. Clausula: Domino
5. Hymn: Conditor Alme Siderum/Lauda: Verbum Caro Factum Est
6. Reading: On Frymae Wes Word/Organum: Iudea et Iherusalem
7. Conductus: Gedeonis Area
8. Reading: O Moder Mayde
9. Hymn: Ave Maris Stella/Sacred Song: O Maria, Deu Maire
10. Prosa: Ave Maria
11. Responsory: Gaude Maria/Hymn: Joseph, Liber Nefe Min
12. Conductus With Refrain: Congaudet Hodie/In Sulci Iubilo/Hymn: In Dulci
13. Reading: Hand by Hand We Shule Us Take
14. Conductus: Lux Hodie...Orientis Partibus

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #57169 in Music
• Brand: Boston
• Released on: 1991-09-13
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .23 pounds

Customer Reviews

Superb cd - well selected, well performed
This collection of Medieval Christmas music has a wonderful mixture of pieces - Hebrew cantillation, Old Saxon readings, plainchant, processional music - with varying countries of origin - Spanish, Provencal, French, Italian, German, English. The net result is a varied program that will appeal even to those not particularly familiar with Medieval music.

The musical instruments are period instruments - rebec, viola da gamba, flutes, recorders, shawm, etc. They are well utilized in the service of the words. The Boston Camerata is, as usual, a well trained choir - the words are clear, the voices blend beautifully.

This can be an excellent addition to your Christmas music collection - one that helps keep Christmas a religious holy day rather than just a civil holiday.

Not just for the holidays!
This one's superb. I was absolutely thrilled to see it on CD a few years back (I had the LP). "Medieval Christmas" may sound a little...sullen, or something, but ho ho, this one is different. Sure it's early music, one of the best early music CDs I've heard, and I have many, but it fits the spirit of the holiday season perfectly without being preachy, or overtly Christmas-like. I bought a few copies for friends and they say they like it so much, they play it year 'round.

That's a heck of a recommendation for a Christmas CD, eh? I really don't know what makes this one so special. All that I know is that it's a 5-star production, and the "Renaissance Christmas" I would give only 3.5 stars. It doesn't pack as much of a wallop. So grab this one, folks, and enjoy. From me to you I love this CD!

Deeply Endearing
I was 7 years old and excited as all get out for Christmas when my stepfather brought this album into our family, and it immediately became a classic. This is by far my favorite music to listen to during christmas time. While carols become slightly stale as you grow older, the melodies and performance from this album are timeless, enchanting, historic and carry deep meaning. Now that I'm 33, I appreciate these performances even more, if that is even possible. A true gem. When I discovered it here on CD, I was so excited I telephoned my whole family to let them know.