Signum

On this CD: 1. Al Jorn - Alonso
Composed by Michael Popp
with Estampie - Munchner Ensemble Fur Fruhe Musik

2. A Voi Gente
Composed by Michael Popp
with Estampie - Munchner Ensemble Fur Fruhe Musik

3. Trotto
Composed by Michael Popp
with Estampie - Munchner Ensemble Fur Fruhe Musik

4. Audite
Composed by Michael Popp
with Estampie - Munchner Ensemble Fur Fruhe Musik

5. Alle Psallite
Composed by Michael Popp
with Estampie - Munchner Ensemble Fur Fruhe Musik

6. Razon
Composed by Michael Popp
with Estampie - Munchner Ensemble Fur Fruhe Musik

7. Owe War Sint Verswunden
Composed by Michael Popp
with Estampie - Munchner Ensemble Fur Fruhe Musik

8. Sine Nomine
Composed by Michael Popp
with Estampie - Munchner Ensemble Fur Fruhe Musik

9. Al Jorn - Carceres
Composed by Michael Popp
with Estampie - Munchner Ensemble Fur Fruhe Musik

10. Non E Gran Cousa
Composed by Michael Popp
with Estampie - Munchner Ensemble Fur Fruhe Musik

11. Cry De La Mort (after Gilles Binchois)
Composed by Michael Popp
with Estampie - Munchner Ensemble Fur Fruhe Musik

12. Quen Na Virgen
Composed by Michael Popp
with Estampie - Munchner Ensemble Fur Fruhe Musik

13. Estampie VIII
Composed by Michael Popp
with Estampie - Munchner Ensemble Fur Fruhe Musik

14. Non Devemos
Composed by Michael Popp
with Estampie - Munchner Ensemble Fur Fruhe Musik

15. Bona Condit
Composed by Michael Popp
with Estampie - Munchner Ensemble Fur Fruhe Musik

16. Al Jorn - Triana
Composed by Michael Popp
with Estampie - Munchner Ensemble Fur Fruhe Musik

Editorial Reviews
From the Artist
"Death and the fragility of the world were deeply rooted in the consciousness of medieval man. On the one hand there was the constant and imminent threat (to) life by illness, hunger, cold, violence and so on. On the other hand there was the Christian faith in which the expectation of the apocalypse was crucial. Soon the signs of the forthcoming end of the world would emerge, as there were: total chaos, revolution and rebellion, natural catastrophe and the rise of the (great) deceiver of the world, the Antichrist.

Again and again the moment of the apocalypse was calculated and predicted, especially at the end of the 1000 year interregnum after the death of Christ. For medieval man these events were no abstract thoughts but (actually) part of his conception of the world.

People suffered from heavy burdens of everyday life and were at the same time in great fear and hopeful expectation of the approaching end. Naturally this world of thought also plays a major role in medieval art and literature.

Signum comprises texts which express this threatening apocalypse as well as the remembrance of the transience of (the) worldly life of every single human being."

Product Description
Authentic medieval languages, songs and over fifteen instruments take the listener on an hour-long journey back through time. Lush, beautiful female vocals, sometimes in contrast with choral arrangements, deliver a harmonious and warm feel throughout the album. This captivating yet comforting sound belies the often dark subject matter of the lyrics (all in Latin save one piece in medieval German), which focus primarily on medieval man's concept of the apocalypse.

Signum

Signum,Michael Popp,Estampie - Münchner Ensemble Für Frühe Musik,Noir (Big Daddy),England,Miscellaneous,Miscellaneous Music,New Age,New Age / Meditation,Pop,Vocal,Vocal Music

Signum

Tracks:

Processional Hymn: Judicii Signum
Troped Introit: Quem Creditis Super Astra/Viri Galilei
Kyrie: Celestis Terrestrisque
Gloria: Prudentia Prudentium
Alleluia I: Dominus In Sina
Alleluia II: Ascendens Cristus
Sequence With Prose: Salvator Mundi/Rex Omnipotens Die Hodierna
Troped Offertory: Elevatus Est Rex Fortis/Viri Galilei
Sanctus: Ante Secula
Agnus Dei: Omnipotens Eterne
Troped Communion: Corpus Quod Nunc/Psallite Domino
Lection: Apocalypse 21:1-5
Prose: Regnantem Sempiterna
Hymn: Cives Celestis Patrie

Amazon.com essential recording

Remember all of the year-2000 nervousness in the latter part of 1999? That was nothing. As the year 1000 approached, people all over the Christian world were convinced that the Apocalypse--as depicted in the biblical Book of Revelation--and the end of the world were at hand. In one of the more interesting musical program ideas to be inspired by the turn of the calendrical odometer, Anonymous 4 revisits the original "millennium madness" with a disc of chant from around the year 1000--specifically, a Mass for the Feast of the Ascension, one of the few occasions on which the liturgy included readings from the Book of Revelation. This is the oldest written Western music to have survived, and it's difficult even to decipher (the original notation has no staff lines or clear indications of rhythm), let alone perform. Yet, the challenges involved seem to have done these ladies good: not only is their performance both assured and confident, but one can hear new facets in their vocal sound--a sound that, however beautiful it might be, some listeners find monotonous. (One new facet is Jacqueline Horner, the quartet's newest member, for whom this is the first recording.) The singers experiment with interpretation of ornaments that are indicated in the manuscript sources (there's a fascinating little trill that sounds rather like a cooing dove); in some of the chants, they add an additional line in accordance with the principles of improvising polyphony that were laid out in 10th- and 11th-century treatises. The entire program seems thoroughly considered, as well as immaculately executed. If you count on the consistently pure, silky tone and meditative quality that has made Anonymous 4 world-famous, you'll definitely find it here; if you've gotten bored with them, you might find this disc a fascinating surprise. --Matthew Westphal

Customer Reviews:

Want to hear something spectacular?.......2007-05-23

For most folks, Gregorian Chants are probably a little off the beaten track. This is a stellar recording that's hard to beat, and the best of my Gregorian Chant collection. You won't be disappointed.

Lovely.......2006-03-03

A lovely performance of music from the beginning of the western musical tradition. The vocal quality of the performance is first rate and the music itself is very interesting. Recommended strongly.

Perfectly lovely - wrong, but still perfectly lovely........2004-06-28

For those of you who - like me - have had a couple experiences with Gregorian Chant that moved you deeply - and now you need some Gregorian Chant for those moods when nothing else is right - this is it. "A Mass For The End Of Time" is beautiful, and rich, and the selections intense and moving. This is exactly what most people reading this are looking for. Furthermore the performers seem to have captured the spirit of the music - which is critical because this is spiritual music. So why do I give it 4 stars?

Gregorian Chant is not music that can be removed from its place and time well. It is site specific - it should be heard live in a cathedral whose walls are stone or at least in a place that reflects sound - setting up resonance inside the head. Gregorian Chant is a form of meditation that is distinctly medieval European. The group that performs "A Mass For The End Of Time" is 4 women called Anonymous. But Gregorian Chant was written for men - it has different feel when men do it. Anonymous is very good - but the music would work even better with 4 equally good male voices.

Year 1000--A Mass for the End of Time.......2004-01-04

The year AD 1000 appeared to be an apocalyptic harbringer of destruction to the devout Catholics of Western Europe. This collection of medieval chants based on themes of God's impending wrath and the judgement of the world are excellent primary sources for understanding the mystical religious mindset of the days of yore. Gregorian Chant, while different from Byzantine (Greek) and Russian chanting, is a very methodological and otherworldly form of music. It's monotone is radically opposed to the harsh discord of "rock n' roll" and "rap" music which sound like broken machinery that are so popular among all aspects of society, even the so-called "Christian rock." Although the music itself is sung in Latin, the disc is accompanied by a booklet which gives the lyrics in English translation (along with a few other languages).

A Peace Beyond All Understanding.......2002-04-30

I have always been highly suspicious of "spiritual people". Why them and not me? I was only looking for pretty music when I, a rock n roller by upbringing, purchased this CD. What followed during the listening of this CD, was a deeply meditative state as I let the music, so beautiful words cannot describe, transport me into a deeper consciousness. There I was able to pray from the deepest part of my soul. A first. It has immediately replaced my incremental valium use. I am not a meditator, not into Yoga, don't even like people who are, but this music sounds like the holy ghost if it can be personified, who pleads with such compassion for each and every one of us in a world gone mad. The gregorian chant music on this particular cd seems to be telling the story of time and man to God. It is a sad and compassionate tale that doesn't miss a detail as its heavenly and soulful sound tells in words beyond my understanding a long story filled with strife, sin, pain and sorrow, yet with such love and feeling that it catches its listener up as though it were part of the communication to God and lifts the listener to a serene place where all of the cement jungle, and hostile traffic, and hate among people seem to become the other dimension and not the dimension you find yourself in when listening to this CD. Maybe it is something different for every listener. This was my experience.

Average customer rating:

Romantic Medieval Dancing / Festive Music
Medieval

Signum

Manufacturer: Dancing Ferret
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Best Of Corvus Corax
Irfan
Renaissance
Illuminate
IV: Ozymandias

ASIN: B0009IOS24
Release Date: 2007-07-16

Tracks:

Al jorn - alonso
A voi gente
Trotto
Audite
Alle psallite
Razon
Owe war sint verswunden
Sine nomine
Al jorn - carceres
Non e gran cousa
Cry de la mort
Quen na virgen
Estampie VIII
Non devemos
Bona condit
Al jorn - triana

Album Description

Authentic medieval languages, songs and over fifteen instruments take the listener on an hour-long journey back through time. Lush, beautiful female vocals, sometimes in contrast with choral arrangements, deliver a harmonious and warm feel throughout the album. This captivating yet comforting sound belies the often dark subject matter of the lyrics (all in Latin save one piece in medieval German), which focus primarily on medieval man's concept of the apocalypse.

Customer Reviews:

Romantic Medieval Dancing / Festive Music.......2006-08-26

About the Band:
Estampie is a German medieval band named after a style of dance from the Middle Ages which involved lots of hopping and stomping of the feet. For those of you not familiar with this style of music, simply think of music you might associate with a castle (think Lord of the Rings). True to the name, Estampie provides joyful and energetic music that you'll want to skip to. Featuring an ensemble of talented musicians, with key members including Syrah (Sigrid Hausen) and Michael Popp of Qntal and Ernst Schwindl, Estampie can be characterized by their exclusive use of an extensive array of traditional instruments (no electronics) including harps, various pipes and flutes, an array of drums, and numerous stringed instruments.

About the Album:
Long before I bought Signum, I've heard Estampie on many middle ages (or mittlealters in German) compilations. The album is nearly a full hour in length and an absolute joy to listen to. Most of the tracks feature multiple vocalists, which though typical of heavenly voices and neo-medieval music, is always a treat. Various percussion instruments are used to establish a welcoming beat, while the pipes and/or stringed instruments used build out a romantic melody.

Recommended Tracks:
- A Voi Gente
- Alle Psallite
- Razon
- Al Jorn - Carceres
- Cry del la Mort

If you enjoy bagpipes, then you'll love Sine Nomine. Sometimes I've been able to talk DJs into playing Estampie at goth / industrial clubs, but I must point out that the band is appropriately named, as tracks like Sine Nomine are so fast that you will be tempted to dance estampie style (skip and hop). However, in contrast to the fast paced tracks, the Signum also features slower and calm choral tracks such as Al Jorn - Carceres (which tend to be my favorites).

Finally I must point out that Signum features both male and female vocals, often sung together. It is a rare treat to pull so many talented vocalists and musicians together in one period band.

Similar Artists:
- Corvus Corax
- Irfan
- Qntal
- Love Is Colder Than Death
- Moon Far Away
- Das Zeichen

Medieval.......2005-05-31

Estampie, the musical collaboration of singer Sigrid Hausen (Syrah) and mastermind Michael Popp (Qntal), is deemed to be the leading medieval music act. Their haunting interpretations of old music found fans in many countries, amongst aficionados of Classical music as well as within the world music and independent music scenes. Estampie always spearheaded the popular medieval scene and are referred to as a source of inspiration by a lot of bands playing medieval music. Their eighth album titled "Signum" offers again music from the 12th to the 15th Centuries rife with insistent mysticism and stirring drive with technical perfection. The ambitious arrangements are a result of a long lasting dealing with this kind of music and are crowned with choirs and particularly with Syrah`s transcendental voice. A one-of-a-kind listening pleasure!

Average customer rating:

Hauntingly beautiful.
A Trip to the World of Medieval Aquitania

Aquitania

Manufacturer: BMG
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Shining Light, Music from Aquitanian Monasteries
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Edda - An Icelandic Saga - Myths From Medieval Iceland / Sequentia
Polyphonic Aquitaine of th 12th Century
Lost Songs of a Rhineland Harper [Hybrid SACD]

ASIN: B000001TZQ
Release Date: 1997-10-14

Tracks:

Dulci dignum melodia
Mundo salus gracie
Clara sonent organa
Noster cetus psallat letus
Virginis in gremio
Iudicii signum
Instrumental Piece
Alleluia! Iustus ut palma florebit
Quam felix cubiculum
Uterus hodie
Iubilemus, exultemus
Descendit de celis
Gaudia debita
Natus est rex
Instrumental Piece
De monte lapis scinditur
O Maria, Deu maire
Plebs domini

Customer Reviews:

Hauntingly beautiful........2005-12-19

'aquitania' is the second collection of 12th century musical pieces from Aquitanian Monasteries performed by sequentia, or the 'Ensemble for Medieval Music' comprised of a chorus of male voices, a chorus of female voices, and an instrumental ensemble.

Not being a professional musical antiquarian, the very best I can say about this recording is that it is better than the first collection, 'shining light'.

Oddly, my biggest problem with both collections is that nothing on both recordings does anything whatsoever to evoke Christmas for me. I say that because there are some buyers who may be on the lookout for some unusual Christmas music and they just may be disappointed by what the do NOT hear on these recordings. That caveat aside, this collection is very, very good in its variety of male, female, and instrumental voices.

What some tracks do evoke is an oddly Celtic sound, especially in some of the instrumental tracks. All the vocals are in Latin, meaning they were all written to be performed for and by the monks and nuns of the monasteries in the Christmas season.

There is simply nothing here sounding remotely like 'O Little Town of Bethlehem', even in Latin.

If you want a portal into the world of very old music, I can think of nothing better. It is certainly more diverse and more interesting than the otherwise excellent 'Anonymous 4' recordings of old Christmas music.

Highly recommended.

A Trip to the World of Medieval Aquitania.......2000-06-05

Aquitania was a rich part of the medieval world. It was the land of the troubadours and of the admirable liturgical chants. It was the world of the first medieval troubadour, Guilhelm IX, Duke of Aquitania and grandfather of Eleanor, the powerful queen. This CD evokes this legendary place, its myths and its art of the 12th century. All the CDs of Sequentia are marvellous. Words are not enough of describing the sensitive work of this ensemble. I have heard Dante and the Troubadours, Aquitania, with Christmas Music from Aquitanian monasteries and Shining Light. These three CDs give us a powerful view of the aquitanian spirit. I feel the vibrant culture of that part of a medieval world, when I am listening the troubadours songs and the music from aquitanian monasteries performed by Sequentia.

Average customer rating:

Elana kats chernins ragtime and blues
post modern ragtime meets palm court

Ragtime & Blue

Manufacturer: Signum UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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General | Jazz | Styles | Music
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Ballets Russes

ASIN: B0009A414M
Release Date: 2005-07-26

Tracks:

Alexander Rag
Green Leaf Prelude
Russian Rag
Get Well Rag
Blue Rose
Eliza's Aria
Backstate Rag
Birthday Rag
Brothers
Peggy's Minute Rag
Reflections
Cocktail Rag
Butterflying
Sunday Rag
Nostalgic Piece
Bucharian Melody
Revolving Doors
Suburban Rag
Sapphire Rag
Tranquil Interlude
Mute Princess
Slicked Back Tango
Removalist Rag
Melancholic Piece

Customer Reviews:

Elana kats chernins ragtime and blues.......2007-03-12

This album is very good its so nice and peacfull and beutifull, put it this way 'iam normally a heavy metal fan but this album is amazing' i can easily fall asleep listening to this, buy and enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

post modern ragtime meets palm court.......2006-04-11

A terrific suite of small pieces suffused with melancholy underneath even the most upbeat melodies. This is a composer with whom I was unfamiliar until seeing a San Francisco Ballet piece choreographed to music from this CD. The program notes to BLUE ROSE which was a World Premiere in the 2006 season say in part:

"On the heels of his decision to create one new work for the 2006 Repertory Season, Artistic Director Helgi Tomasson launched into a second premiere for the Company, Blue Rose. After hearing composer Elena Kats-Chernin's CD Ragtime and Blue, Tomasson couldn't resist. "It's fun-it has a kind of joy to it," he says, and you don't doubt him for a minute-just talking about the music brings a smile to his face." Yu may be able to read more at the SF ballet website www.sfballet.org

Unfortunately the CD seems to be available only via a UK label but it's worth waiting for - I've had it spinning every evening in the two weeks since it arrived.

Average customer rating:

Simply extraordinary

Allegri Miserere-Tenebrae

Manufacturer: Signum UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

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Choruses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Hymns | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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Lighten our Darkness
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ASIN: B000I5YVTI
Release Date: 2006-11-28

Tracks:

Song For Athene
Ex Ore Innocentium
The Lamb
Hymn To The Cherubim
Noew Ye Heavenly Powers
Hymn To St Ceclia
Ave Maria
8-Part Crucifixus
Miserere
Esti Dal
The Dying Soldier
Psalm 148, Lord Who Has Made Us For Thine Own
Faire Is The Heaven

Customer Reviews:

Simply extraordinary.......2007-01-11

I get quickly out of my depth when it comes to any classical music, let alone sacred choral music, so I am wary about looking like a right pillock when I review it. But here goes:

This is a truly extraordinary, beautiful, haunting listening experience.

Signum Records seem to be doing its best to hide the fact that it is recording and releasing exquisite classical music. Much of Signum's catalogue is available only through its website, which Signum doesn't seem to have submitted to search engines for indexing. Allegri-Miserere is one of the few Signum releases available on Amazon. If you do nothing else, snap it up before Signum decides to hide this one too!

To my way of thinking, there are three aspects a record like this: The quality of the material performed, the quality of its execution by the choir, and the quality of the recording. In this case, all three are sublime, across the length of the album.

The title track is, of course, one of the most beautiful pieces of music ever written - so beautiful the Vatican forbade, on pain of excommunication, anyone but its own Sistine Chapel Choir from playing it (the story, briefly recounted in the liner notes, of how a young Mozart nicked it from under the Vatican's nose by memorising it in one sitting is a beauty). While I've heard plenty recordings of the Miserere this one - it is a beautifully crisp recording - reveals the complexity and ornamentation of the vocal lines like no other version I've heard, even as between the tenors and basses positioned at the front of the soundstage (I think the Miserere is structured as a song-and-reply between two small choral groups). The sopranos and altos are positioned at the back of the soundstage, and the famous solo treble line is softened and embedded in a glorious natural reverberation giving it a haunting, solemn quality. When the lead soprano (I was surprised to see there are no boy trebles in the choir, by the way - I know it's not supposed to be the same, but I couldn't tell) hits her high C - and it's high in the stratosphere all right, practically in dogs-only territory - and falls away from it down a major scale it really takes your breath away. I almost fell down an escalator at King's Cross St. Pancras with excitement. And I just love the way Miserere resolves delicately into a major, at the very last. Clever man, that Allegri.

Elsewhere, the repertoire fully spans Tenebrae's stated coverage era of 17th-21st century, from Lotti's beautiful 8 Part Crucifix to the more modern works by Taverner, Ireland, Rachmaninov, Britten and Holst.

Not only is the music beautifully selected and recorded, the performance is just extraordinary in its accuracy and tone, dynamism and control. Though the sopranos steal the limelight in the Miserere, the rich bass and beautifully constant tenors are well to the fore throughout, and kick some righteous heavenly butt on Sheremetriev's Now Ye Heavenly Powers. It's spine-tingling, neck-shivering material, and when the basses hit their final bottom note, as low in the subterranea as the sopranos are high in the Miserere, I fell down the stairs with surprise and delight at East Finchley. Marvellous.

I really couldn't recommend this more highly. Treat yourself.

Olly Buxton

Average customer rating:

Moonstruck: Songs of F.G. Scott

Manufacturer: Signum UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000O78J0M
Release Date: 2007-07-24

Average customer rating:

a voice teacher and early music fan
Sounds like everyone, but uniquely himself. . .
Wonderful music
A Great Musical Discovery!
Beautiful...definitely a masterpiece

Matins for the Virgin of Guadeloupe
Ignacio Jerusalem y Stella , Joseph Jennings , and Chanticleer
Manufacturer: Teldec
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000005825
Release Date: 1998-02-17

Tracks:

Matins For The Virgin Of Guadalupe: Invitatorio y Salmo 94
Matins For The Virgin Of Guadalupe: Hymn : Quem terra potus sidera
Matins For The Virgin Of Guadalupe: Bendici Lecci
Matins For The Virgin Of Guadalupe: Responsorio : Vidi speciosam sicut columbam
Matins For The Virgin Of Guadalupe: Responsorio : Quae est ista, quae ascendit
Matins For The Virgin Of Guadalupe: Bendici LecciI
Matins For The Virgin Of Guadalupe: Responsorio : Quae est ista, quae processit
Matins For The Virgin Of Guadalupe: Interludio : Albricias mortales (Manuel de Sumaya [Zumaya], c. 1678-1755)
Matins For The Virgin Of Guadalupe: Antna y Salmo 18 - Orchestral Verso No.8 In G Minor - Orchestral Verso No.13 In G Minor - Orchestral Verso No.9 In G Minor
Matins For The Virgin Of Guadalupe: Responsorio : Signum magnum apparuit in caelo
Matins For The Virgin Of Guadalupe: Verslo, Padrenuestro y Absoluci
Matins For The Virgin Of Guadalupe: Responsorio : Beatam me dicent omnes (Giacomo Rust, 1741-1786)
Matins For The Virgin Of Guadalupe: Bendici LecciII
Matins For The Virgin Of Guadalupe: Te Deum - Te Deum laudamus
Matins For The Virgin Of Guadalupe: Te Deum - Te aeternum Patrem
Matins For The Virgin Of Guadalupe: Te Deum - Tibi omnes Angeli
Matins For The Virgin Of Guadalupe: Te Deum - Tibi Cherubim et Seraphim
Matins For The Virgin Of Guadalupe: Te Deum - Sanctus
Matins For The Virgin Of Guadalupe: Te Deum - Pleni sunt caeli
Matins For The Virgin Of Guadalupe: Te Deum - Te ergo quaesumus
Matins For The Virgin Of Guadalupe: Te Deum - Aeterna fac cum sanctis tuis
Matins For The Virgin Of Guadalupe: Te Deum - In te, Domine, speravi
Matins For The Virgin Of Guadalupe: Recesional: Angcas milicias (Manuel de Sumaya)

Customer Reviews:

a voice teacher and early music fan.......2007-01-17

"On December 9, 1531, the indian neophyte Juan Diego was lured to mount tepeyas by the sound of stunning music. He made his way to the top, where the Virgin of guadalupe appeared to him in radiant splendor. In 1764, Ignacio de Jerusalem, chapel master of mexico city cathedral, composed his matins for the Virgin of Guadalupe. In 1997, this work, which had not been heard for almost two centuries, was performed and recorded by Chanticleer".

During Jerusalem's lifetime (1707-1769), while aspiring composers in Italy were writing operas, their Latin American counterparts were foucused on the writing of Matins, a Roman Catholic service traditionaly performed in the early morning. It provided a plethora of opportunities to display compositional skills using a wide variety of textures and styles. After the Invitatory and Hymn, the service continued with three Nocturns-equivalent in magnitude to an act in an opera- that were constructed of monophonic Psalms in chant, intoned lessons that could preach a story, and sets of Responsories that combined voices with instruments. The final Responsory was frequently replaced by an extended setting of the Te Deum, which could bring the Matin service to a close. In fact Jerusalem's Te Deum was so popular at the time that the Cathedral Librarian complained that the parts were "badly worn"

The remaining work on this disc are by Jerusalem's predecessor-the brilliant Manuel de Sumaya(1678-1755).

There is no doubt that this is an extremely attractive set of pieces with solos, duets, trios, quartets and of course, full chorus. The voices of Chanticleer make quality sounds and sing all of this with great vigor and enthusiasm. When I first acquired this CD I listened to it constantly because it was 'different' and 'easy' to do so. However, I have to say, that like Broadway tunes, one must take a 'break' from them from time to time. Whereas when I listen to Palestrina or Byrd etc. there is never any 'saturation'. However, having said all of this, I would not want to do without having this in my listening library.

Chanticleer is a full-time classical vocal ensemble in the United States, and we're proud to own them, for just like their British counterpoints, the King Singers, perfection is their name. They sing from Renaissance to Jazz, and do it all very well indeed!!! Their name, by the way, was taken from the 'clear singing' rooster in Chaucer's Canterbury tales. The personnel changes from time to time so I'm going to list who they are on this disc because I like to know to whom I'm listening: Christopher Fritzsche,Corey McKnight,Jay White are Sopranos; Kenneth Fitch,Michael Lichtenaur,Philip Wilder are altos; Kevin Baum, Tim Krol,David Munderlich are tenors; Eric Alatorre, Frank Albinder,Chad Runyon are baritones and basses. This disc was made in July,1977.

Sounds like everyone, but uniquely himself. . ........2005-02-11

Jerusalem's music sounds like Handel sometimes, like Bach sometimes, like Vivaldi sometimes, like Haydn sometimes, and a few times even anticipates Beethoven--but his is almost always himself. For a man who spent most of his career at the edge of the 'civilized' world, he was remarkably up-to-date. He has produced a unique contribution to Western art music.

The performance also is excellent. I can't flaw what has been done here. I would like to see some other groups, however, tackle it--if only for comparison's sake.

Wonderful music.......2001-10-10

This recording, is a five stars in all aspects, I am
sure that many European baroque composers wish they
could of have sign their names, on the original manuscript
of this work. This recording, and the music are so
good, that it leaves me little to say or write...

A Great Musical Discovery!.......2000-10-05

The Maitines para Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, by Ignacio de Jerusalém, receives on this recording its first performance since two hundred years ago. Music lovers must be very thankful to Chanticleer for their interest in reviving works from the Mexican Baroque. Matins (a religious service that was performed in the Roman Catholic Church in the early hours of the morning)were a vehicle for composers in the New Spain to showcase their skill using texts of different moods. These Matins in particular, for the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, bear ressemblance to the early Catholic works by Handel, where a capella chant was alternated with elaborate solo and choral movements with orchestra. Jerusalem, an Italian composer established in Mexico by 1742, borrowed music from other composers for his services: Beatam me dicent omnes is by Giacomo Rust and there are two wonderful works by Manuel de Sumaya. These two pieces, "Albricias mortales" and "Angélicas milicias" are in my opinion, the most interesting works of the CD. With their poetic Spanish texts and baroque polyphony, they illustrate the situation of Latin America during that period: great European influence with a new conscience of being part of another new reality, something similar to the literary work of the great Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz. The choral and orchestral forces of Chanticleer perform with such beauty and expression that it is difficult that even Jerusalem could have imagined that this work could sound so great. I hope Chanticleer continue to revive great works from Latin America.

Beautiful...definitely a masterpiece.......2000-02-13

I bought this CD a while ago, but I still listen to it frequently. The singing is impeccable. They sing beautifully in the Baroque style, the voices in the unison chants blend like they are one, and the contertenors are angelic. One thing that I especially like is the fact that they do an entire Matins service, and that is actually cohesive. One can clearly picture this being sung at a Matins service two centuries ago. Overall, this is truly a moving musical experience.

Thomas Tallis: Spem in Alium [Hybrid SACD]

Average customer rating:

Wonderful achievement.
playability
Confused
SINGLES BAR

Thomas Tallis: Spem in Alium [Hybrid SACD]
The King's Singers , and Thomas Tallis
Manufacturer: Signum UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Motets | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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Similar Items:

The King's Singers Original Debut Recording
The King"s Singers: English Renaissance
Landscape & Time
The King's Singers: From Byrd to the Beatles
Colouring Book

ASIN: B000E41M7C
Release Date: 2006-02-28

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful achievement........2007-03-05

The King's Singers have taken on the challenge of singing "Spem In Alium", the famous 40 part motet by Thomas Tallis, by means of multitrack recording technology and accomplished a suprisingly successful recording. Coordinating 40 different voice parts, most of which come and go in a myriad of different ways, must have been quite a daunting task without having the benefit of a conductor or the other 34 singers. The result is a very special recording of this music, featuring extraordinary sound quality, unmatched clarity of all 40 parts, surround-sound, and a mistake-free performance with the most expert possible choral singers on each part. The King's Singers individually even went so far as to use a slightly different vocal quality for each different track they recorded to add to the illusion that there are 40 different people singing, avoiding monotony and giving individual character to each voice part.

The music itself of course is a phenomenon all its own. Its soaring beauty and craftmanship is staggering, containing every possible choral contrapuntal texture from completely individual free counterpoint to block chords echoing antiphonally. While not intended to be the definitive recording of the piece and some purists obviously won't like the concept, it definitely offers something new. The admittedly annoying concept of a CD single notwithstanding, it is very worth buying and even includes a track with commentary from the King's Singers.

playability.......2007-01-22

The actual recording is first class,but it will only play via my DVD and does not work with the CD player.

Confused.......2006-07-01

Is it my imagination or did the review below not actually say what the technical flaw is. As a recording engineer, I'm curious.

SINGLES BAR.......2006-06-11

The music here is a glorious ancient masterpiece, the singing is superlative, the sense of style shown is exemplary, the recording is very good except for a minor blemish, and even the liner-note is excellent.

Nevertheless you may attribute the award of as many stars as three in this instance at least as much to my own habitual benevolence as to what this production really deserves. It goes by the title of a `cd single'. It is the first of its kind to come my way, and I very much hope it will be the last as well. A cd single is something like a stretch-limo being driven around with only one passenger - it's a waste of space and resources. A cd has the capacity for 80 minutes of music, and if someone decides to issue a cd containing only 8 I expect to see this matter reflected proportionately in the pricing. I don't dispute in the least that this recording is very special in some ways, but so are any number of others that come to mind, and the proper course should still have been to fill up the available capacity with other performances, very likely reissues.

Tallis's great motet Spem in Alium was written for 40 solo voices, and there are altogether 6 members of the King's Singers. `6 into 40 doesn't go very well' one of them informs us in the short recorded commentary that accompanies the motet. 6 into 40 goes perfectly well 6 and 2/3 times, what doesn't go is 40 into 6. What the King's Singers have elected to do is utilise modern recording technology so as to take all 40 parts among the 6 of them. I don't question for a moment that this cannot have been straightforward in the least, but it's not exactly new either. More years ago than I care to count there was a record of Bach's concerto for 2 violins with Heifetz playing both solo parts, not so far as I know simultaneously. More recently the Emerson Quartet have given us a performance of Mendelssohn's Octet played by the 4 of them, however they and their producers did not issue this as any cd single but gave us all Mendelssohn's quartets into the bargain. For the most part the challenge has been met very successfully here, the only problem being an odd semi-metallic repeated sound that runs through the entirety of the piece.

The short verbal contribution that the singers give doesn't really say very much that their liner-note hadn't already said, nor indeed say it as well, but it does mention that they had to bring the written pitch down by a tone. This does not worry me in the least, pitch being the variable and ill-defined thing that it has been historically. The motet was almost certainly written with boy trebles in mind for the top parts, and the King's Singers have done the right and sensible thing in bringing it within the comfortable compass of their high counter-tenor. The liner-note is very good, but I had to smile at their innocent comment on the early doubts they entertained and how these were finally resolved - `This version was better than we could have hoped for'. That's that in that case, I guess. From my own less involved viewpoint their version is superlative. The peculiar recording flaw bothers me very little after a lifetime of listening to LP's, but other prospective buyers need to be warned of it. I don't in fact regret buying the disc for an instant, nor do I wish to advise anyone else not to. What I do wish is to propose a total and immediate embargo on further cd singles.

New Britain: The Roots of American Folksong

Average customer rating:

Charming, simple & striking. Full of delightful surprises!
Tour de Force of American Musical Roots!
Astonishing

New Britain: The Roots of American Folksong

Manufacturer: Elektra / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Chansons | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000005E75
Release Date: 1991-06-25

Tracks:

Judicii Signum -- The Great Day
Calenda Maia - Cuando por el oriente
Rossignolet du bois joli - Rossignolet del bos jolin
Das Paris y-at-un'barbiere - Allons-nous faire faire la barbe
Mon pere m'a mariee - Mon pere m'a mariee
Gabriel Nazareth - Une nymphe jolie
C'est en passant par Varennes - Margo labours les vignes
Bransles de village - Il etait une Cendrillon
C'est dans la ville de Bytowm
Il est venu le petit oysillon - An jenem Tag, nach Davids sag - Barbara Allen - Heavenly Dove
Chevy Chase -The Kinges hunt is upp - The English hunt's up
My Love Gave Me A Cherry - I Gave My Love A Cherry
Hey, Ho, Nobody At Home
There Were Three Crows - There Were Three Ravens
Lady Cassilles Lilt - Gipsy Davy
The Jolly Beggar
Billy Boy - Billy Boy
Ricerada premera - Betty Anne
Singing School
Thomas-Town
New Britain (Amazing Grace)
Parting Friends
Hallelujah

Amazon.com

Exploring the connections between early music and what we know as folksong, Joel Cohen and his very adventurous and competent band of musicians not only show us where many familiar tunes come from, they also give us fresh and illuminating renditions of songs from the 10th century to the middle of the 20th century. Besides the recording's obvious educational value, its primary purpose, according to Cohen, is "to give pleasure." That it does, often in amusing ways, as when a song with religious origins is transformed into a ribald descendant. It's also fun to see how widespread some songs are, with different versions common to many countries. Cohen demonstrates how songs that came from Renaissance forms were preserved by common folk long after the "elite" classes abandoned them. The songs are enhanced by excellent instrumental playing and well-conceived arrangements. --David Vernier

Customer Reviews:

Charming, simple & striking. Full of delightful surprises!.......2002-11-29

Many early music groups these days explain cross-cultural musical influences in their program notes, and proceed to play their selections accordingly. Joel Cohen and the Boston Camerata take it the logical step further by actually performing the "root" pieces side by side with the later music that reflects their particular influence. The result is inspired, thought-provoking groupings of related tunes and texts that span not only centuries but continents. The Boston Camerata is primarily a vocal ensemble, with a sound that is spare, pure and direct. Some of their renditions are performed a cappella, while others are accompanied by light, period instrumentation. If you've ever heard this group live in concert, you may recall the surreal effect of sitting in a theater that is pin-drop quiet, waiting for one or two musicians at a time to step forward and break the silence with a clarity and presence that holds the entire audience spellbound from first note to last. The effect of listening to this recording is much the same. My favorites on this release are the groupings of different versions of the same ballad--"Three Ravens", "Gypsy Davy", and "Barbara Allen", for example. The pairing of the Appalacian song "Betty Anne" with its exact harmonic match--a 16th century ricercada for viols by Diego Ortiz--is also quite striking, and I also enjoyed the "shape-note" and "Fa-sol-la" singing-school selections representative of early American music. In the insert, director Joel Cohen explains: "This unorthodox recording, an intentionally provocative mix of early art song and modern folksong, is meant first of all to give pleasure - but it is also a meditation on history, on archetypes, and on the transmission of human culture." The Boston Camerata succeeds admirably here on both counts!

Tour de Force of American Musical Roots!.......2001-01-05

Prepare to go on an amazing, haunting musical tour when you put this disc on your player. Joel Cohen (bless him) has once again assembled a group of musicians and singers who are up to the task of taking themselves, and you the listener, back through the mists of musical time. This disc contains songs that span hundreds of years, many of which actually originate in other lands. Yet, these songs would find their way into the early diverse fabric of colonial America, and go on to inspire much of emerging folk music in this country. Some of these songs are secular, but others have a distinctly religious flavor (as in the first piece on Judgment Day and the "stars falling"). Others are merry, dance-like tunes, and remind one of what might have been performed in medieval courts in Europe. Some are sung in english, others in different languages. The range of musical style and vocal interpretation is incredible. This wonderful diversity reminds the listener that America always had diverse roots, and even in colonial times, we were a nation that drew its strength and inspiration from many cultural sources. I like to listen to this disc during the bleak nights of winter, but it is wonderful music for any occasion. If you really are intrigued by the historical development of American music -- or any music -- then this disc is a "must" for your collection. Also recommended: "The World Turned Upside Down" (Barry Philips), "A Land of Pure Delight" (His Majestie's Clerkes), and "Simple Gifts: Shaker Cbants and Spirituals" (Joel Cohen and Boston Camerata).

Astonishing.......2000-03-25

The album is astonishing. It is rare to find a continuous line of musical thought from the turn of the previous millenium to its end. This album demonstrates the evolution of music over about a thousand year period and includes some very early versions of what we would call modern songs.