Age of Cathedrals

Theatre of Voices - Age of Cathedrals

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CD Details

Artist: Theatre of Voices
Edition: Music CD
Format: Import
CD Release Date: 1996-10-22
Music Label: Harmonia Mundi Fr.
Soundtracks:

Resonemus hoc natali
Natus est rex
In hoc anni circulo
Congaudeant catholici
De monte
Ve mundo
Benedicamus Domino - Humane prolis
In natale
Lilium floruit
Propter veritatem
Orienti oriens
Virgo flagellatur
Mors
Templum cordis
Benedicamus Domino
Beata viscera

Music reviews of Age of Cathedrals

Music Review: a voice teacher and early music fan
Rating: 5 Stars

"IF YOU LIKE THE IDEA OF HAVING SOMETHING MORE INTERESTING THAN GREGORIAN MONOTONY, BUT RETAINING ITS FARAWAY TRANQUILITY, THIS MARVELOUS JOURNEY THROUGH 'THE AGE OF CATHEDRALS' IS A GREST ONE-STEP REVIEW."

This CD represents the musical monuments of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris and other works from the Abbey of St. Martial. One difference between the two is that the music of the latter remains anonymous as they are contributions from a medieval monastery; while the composers from Notre Dame are among Europe's oldest known composers.

Both Leonin and Perotin are among the most important contributors to the music of this period, of which the 'Magnus Liber' collection is the legacy.Leonin (1160-1190) in fact composed organum and was the author of 'Magnum Liber' of organum. Leonin's 'Propter Veritatem' (Because of your rectitude) demonstrates the richness that they lend to the new era of music with its quickly flowing rhapsodic lines. Perotinus (fl.Paris, c 1200) revised the 'Magnus Liber' organum previously compiled by Leonin. The 'Benedicamus Domino' from Perotinus is quite surprising with its delightful rhythmic touches and varied dynamics. His four-part 'Mors' only uses the word 'death', but the music develops richly into a lively display of counterpoint.

The longest work on the disc is 'Beata Viscera' (Blessed flesh) by Perotinus/Philip the Chancellor. In this composition the Theatre of Voices returns to the rapt mysteries of the opening music. As the soloist meditates on the Virgin in sublime concentration, the hushed and unbroken drone of the accompaniment brings forth a great expanse of sound; the music flows lightly and smoothly and the centuries of time are absorbed completely by the listener.

This music served many purposes in the church, such as for religious festivals, to accompany Scripture readings and for praise of the Virgin. From the beginning of the first selection its wondrous and mysterious beauty surrounds the listener. The lower voices of the Theatre of Voices establish a deep foundation upon which the upper voices intone their lines, majestic but not monotonous.

On this 1995 recording made in St. Vincent's Church (great acoustics) in St. Rafael, Ca., Paul Hillier and his eight singers present voices that are naturally flowing and tonally unified creating a magical atmosphere that does great things for the performance.

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