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Track Listings
| 1. Columba Aspexit |
| 2. Ave, Genorosa |
| 3. O Ignis Spiritus |
| 4. O Lerusalem |
| 5. O Euchari |
| 6. O Viridissima Virga |
| 7. O Presul Vere Civitas |
| 8. O Ecclesia |
Product Description
Ave generosa - O Jerusalem - Columba aspexit - O ignis spiritus - O Eucharisti - O viridissima virga - O presul vere civitatis - O Ecclesia / Emma Kirkby, soprano - Gothic Voices, dir. Christopher Page
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
28 of 30 people found the following review helpful
By Dobester
Format:Audio CD
This record is one of the best early music cds available, or perhaps it IS the very best, despite being over 20 years old. The musicianship, singing and recording are all wonderful, and the sound is so good, your living room will be transformed into a Gothic chapel.
Unfortunately, this disc should come with a musical financial health warning, as newcomers to early music will probably find themselves shelling out for more and more of Emma Kirkby and Gothic Voices' recordings. And that's just the beginning: you'll develop a need for ever more obscure ensembles and composers for the rest of their lives. However, before you remortgage the house to buy similar music on full-price labels like ECM and so on, try the Jeremy Summerly discs on Naxos. They are marvellous and a fraction (not seven-eighths) of the price.
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
By H. A. Weedon
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Audio CD
I was surprised to read that a few reviewers complain about the lack of variety in the Abbess Hildegrad's music. Have they been listening to the same recording I have had in my possession for over twenty years? On my Hyperion recording there's a wide variety and no two pieces are the same and there are eight singers in all: four sopranos, one contralto and three tenors. Male and female voices do not join together on any of the tracks. Emma Kirkby joins in with the other three sopranos on tracks 1 and 4 and does not sing solo on any track. The tenors sing together on tracks 3 and 6. Margaret Philpot, contralto, sings solo on tracks 2 and 7 The sopranos, Emily van Evera, Poppy Holden and Judith Stell sing together on the last track (8) without Emma Kirkby joining them.
So you see, there's plenty of variety and, for instance, Margaret Philpot singing solo is a good bit different from the four sopranos singing together. Margaret Philpot's deep, rich voice is a joy in itself. I'm also a fan of Emma Kirkby and have recordings of her singing solo. However, she was never a permanent member of Gothic Voices, jopining in with them just sometimes. Hildegarde composed her music around 900 years ago. When Picasso first set eyes on 12000 year old cave paintings he is reputed to have exclaimed: 'We've learnt nothing!' This observation also applies to Hildegard's music, which is as fresh, varied and meaningful today as it was on the day she composed it. Variety in music isn't necessarily about a lot of noise with all kinds of ups and downs and round abouts. Because Hildegard's music is so pure we're able to hear and appreciate its every nuance in a way which is not always possible in more sophisticated music. Just as beauty is often in the eye of the beholder, musical variation is often in the ear of the listener.
So you see, there's plenty of variety and, for instance, Margaret Philpot singing solo is a good bit different from the four sopranos singing together. Margaret Philpot's deep, rich voice is a joy in itself. I'm also a fan of Emma Kirkby and have recordings of her singing solo. However, she was never a permanent member of Gothic Voices, jopining in with them just sometimes. Hildegarde composed her music around 900 years ago. When Picasso first set eyes on 12000 year old cave paintings he is reputed to have exclaimed: 'We've learnt nothing!' This observation also applies to Hildegard's music, which is as fresh, varied and meaningful today as it was on the day she composed it. Variety in music isn't necessarily about a lot of noise with all kinds of ups and downs and round abouts. Because Hildegard's music is so pure we're able to hear and appreciate its every nuance in a way which is not always possible in more sophisticated music. Just as beauty is often in the eye of the beholder, musical variation is often in the ear of the listener.
43 of 48 people found the following review helpful
By Baz Douglas
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Audio CD
I was surprised to read some of the on-line reviews. I have owned this recording since it first came out on vinyl, when it recieved excellent reviews world wide. It has sold in shed loads ever since. Why? Two main reasons; one, it is stunningly sung by the Blessed Emma Kirkby (Whom God preserve) and others, and is an excellent introduction to early sung music forms and religious music in particular. Two, many people bought it because it is perfect for the purpose of chilling out after a bad day or simply relaxing. If you do not like it, you have my sympathy, and I suggest you do some serious thinking about your personal development. Also, stop listening to Classic FM as it is clearly bad for you.
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4.8 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful sounds
Hildegards music lifts me up, Again another wonderful tool for meditation & deep relaxation, essential in a very stresssful world. Would recomment this to anyone.
Published 1 month ago by Kanga
5.0 out of 5 stars
Singalongabingen
Just being cheeky - soaring and precise music - I am no expert so will not presume to critique the musicians - only say this makes me feel the opposite of soporifically soothed... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Lizzie Huxtable
5.0 out of 5 stars
good buy
The CD arrived on time. It was well packaged and reasonably priced. It was a good buy and I would use this company again.
Published 4 months ago by Ms. S. H. Pether
5.0 out of 5 stars
Meanwhile nearly 9 centuries later
Not the Singing Nun but the composing one rediscovered in the 80s.Not only that but none of this music was on vinyl! Read more
Published 5 months ago by Richard
5.0 out of 5 stars
Mediaeval Space Music
I bought this because I saw it described somewhere as "Mediaeval Space Music" and thought I'd gotta gets me some of that.
I hope that phrase doesn't irk the purists. Read more
I hope that phrase doesn't irk the purists. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Runmentionable
5.0 out of 5 stars
"Symphony of the Harmony of Celestial Revelations"
There is little perhaps for me to add to the praise heaped on this disc since its first release 30 years ago now. Read more
Published 10 months ago by E. L. Wisty
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful and reflective
Abbess Hildegard of Bingen created the pieces featured on this recording of sequences and hymns in honour of the Holy spirit, the Virgin Mary and Saints. Read more
Published on 16 Dec 2010 by Miss M. Potter
5.0 out of 5 stars
Outstanding quality
Amazing ethereal sound and outstanding quality.AND remember , this was written about 800 years ago!
Published on 19 Oct 2010 by Wriggers
3.0 out of 5 stars
Doesn't quite do it for me
While I would never pretend that I am a fan of this type of music which I would describe as medieval, I spotted this CD at a bargain price and decided to give it a go. Read more
Published on 13 Feb 2010 by Mr. A. Whiteside
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sublime.
I have owned this cd for almost 20 years & it still rewards listening.
Emma Kirkby's voice is magnificent & if you are seeking an introduction to early vocal works then... Read more
Emma Kirkby's voice is magnificent & if you are seeking an introduction to early vocal works then... Read more
Published on 26 Jan 2009 by Sizzle
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