Hildegard von Bingen: 11,000 Virgins: Chants for the Feast of St. Ursula

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Editorial Reviews

All Music Guide - Robert Cummings
This album is entitled 11,000 Virgins and has been heavily hyped by Harmonia Mundi. And with good reason: the Anonymous 4 have not only garnered high praise for their performances of Medieval and religious music, but at least two of their recordings, "Miracles of Sant'iago" and "On Yoolis Night," have hit the charts, attracting the so-called "crossover" segment among potential buyers. The group's successes are not difficult to understand: their beautiful, mostly unison singing produces a sound that combines a sweet mellowness with a kind of mesmeric serenity. The disc's title refers to the fifth-century legend of St. Ursula and the 11,000 virgins who, returning from a ...
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Editorial Reviews

All Music Guide - Robert Cummings
This album is entitled 11,000 Virgins and has been heavily hyped by Harmonia Mundi. And with good reason: the Anonymous 4 have not only garnered high praise for their performances of Medieval and religious music, but at least two of their recordings, "Miracles of Sant'iago" and "On Yoolis Night," have hit the charts, attracting the so-called "crossover" segment among potential buyers. The group's successes are not difficult to understand: their beautiful, mostly unison singing produces a sound that combines a sweet mellowness with a kind of mesmeric serenity. The disc's title refers to the fifth-century legend of St. Ursula and the 11,000 virgins who, returning from a religious pilgrimage, were said to be slaughtered in Cologne by Attila the Hun when they refused to submit to concubinage. Actually, there may well have been only a handful of virgins accompanying Ursula, exaggeration that often accompanies legend accounting for the possibly inflated number. In any event, the martyrdom of these innocent women moved composers, writers, and clergy to extol them for many centuries to come. Hildegard 1098-1179 wrote several chants inspired by this legend. Seven of the eighteen selections here are hers; the remainder are from anonymous sources, identified in the album booklet listings usually by location, edition and a time. The first track, for example, contains an Antiphon Auctori vite psalmis and Invitatory Venite exsultemus domino that are attributed to "Karlsruhe LX 13th c.." The music on the disc spans the twelfth, thirteenth, and fourteenth centuries, though there's little stylistic dissimilarity throughout the eighteen pieces. Those by the mystic nun and cononized saint Hildegard of Bingen will, of course, draw the most attention. It is one of the ironies of our age that nine centuries after her birth she has become a cult figure surely not by her design, with a worldwide popularity surpassing that of many talented artists who have taken great pains to advance their careers and fame. To cite just a few examples of the impressive artistry here, try Hildegard's "Symphonia virginum: O dulcissime amator," where this quartet finds a perfect balance between religious ecstasy and seductive vocalism, between reverential solemnity and sonorous beauty. This is truly a compelling performance of an inspired chant, perhaps the best music on the disc. "Jesu corona virginum," attributed to the Ahrweil Antiphoner 13th c., sounds like the precursor to "Pange Lingua Sing, my tongue," traditionally sung on Holy Thursday in the Roman Catholic Church. Whatever the case, the Anonymous 4 deliver it serenely and sweetly. Try also Hildegard's "Cum vox sanguinis," where the group conveys a sense of hope and spirituality with soothing yet incisive vocalism. Not only is everything here beyond reproach, but nothing is less than utterly compelling. Excellent sound too, and full texts. Highly recommended.
Gramophone
A perfect blend: you really can't tell whether one, two, three or four are singing.
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Product Details

  • Release Date: 9/9/1997
  • Label: Harmonia Mundi Fr.
  • UPC: 093046720025
  • Catalog Number: 907200
  • Sales rank: 3,336

Tracks

Disc 1
  1. 1 Auctori vite psalmis, antiphon / Venite exsultemus domino, invitatory: Auctori vite psalmis, antiphon - Anonymous, Karlsruhe LX & Anonymous 4 (8:54)
    Composed byAnonymous, Karlsruhe LX, Anonymous Composer
    Performed byAnonymous 4
  2. 2 Auctori vite psalmis, antiphon / Venite exsultemus domino, invitatory: Venite exsultemus domino, invitatory - Anonymous, Karlsruhe LX & Anonymous 4 (9:25)
    Composed byAnonymous, Karlsruhe LX, Anonymous Composer
    Performed byAnonymous 4
  3. 3 O dulcissime amator, sinfonia for the virgins - Hildegard von Bingen & Anonymous 4 (2:52)
    Composed byHildegard von Bingen
    Performed byAnonymous 4
  4. 4 Jesu corona virginum - Anonymous, Ahrweil Antiphoner & Anonymous 4 (6:54)
    Composed byAnonymous, Ahrweil Antiphoner, Anonymous Composer
    Performed byAnonymous 4
  5. 5 Spiritui sancto honor sit, response - Hildegard von Bingen & Anonymous 4 (0:28)
    Composed byHildegard von Bingen
    Performed byAnonymous 4
  6. 6 Specie tua, versicle - Gregorian Chant & Anonymous, Karlsruhe LX (6:53)
    Composed byGregorian Chant, Anonymous, Karlsruhe LX
    Performed byAnonymous 4
  7. 7 Favus distillans, response for Saint Ursula & her companions - Hildegard von Bingen & Anonymous 4 (0:58)
    Composed byHildegard von Bingen
    Performed byAnonymous 4
  8. 8 Benedicamaus domino (i) - Anonymous, Codex Engelberg 314 & Anonymous 4 (1:12)
    Composed byAnonymous, Codex Engelberg 314
    Performed byAnonymous 4
  9. 9 Studium divinitatis, Laudes antiphon for Saint Ursula & her Companions - Hildegard von Bingen & Anonymous 4 (3:30)
    Composed byHildegard von Bingen
    Performed byAnonymous 4
  10. 10 Psalm 92: Dominus regnavit - Anonymous, Ahrweil Antiphoner & Anonymous 4 (10:12)
    Composed byAnonymous, Ahrweil Antiphoner, Anonymous Composer
    Performed byAnonymous 4
  11. 11 O ecclesia occuli tui, sequence for Saint Ursula & her Companions - Hildegard von Bingen & Anonymous 4 (0:57)
    Composed byHildegard von Bingen
    Performed byAnonymous 4
  12. 12 Benedicamus domino (ii) - Anonymous, Codex Engelberg 314 & Anonymous 4 (0:50)
    Composed byAnonymous, Codex Engelberg 314
    Performed byAnonymous 4
  13. 13 Domine deus meus (Berlin Mus. 40046, Quedlinberg) - Anonymous, German & Anonymous 4 (1:13)
    Composed byAnonymous, German, Anonymous Composer
    Performed byAnonymous 4
  14. 14 Mirabilis deus, brief responsory - Anonymous, Karlsruhe LX & Anonymous 4 (8:10)
    Composed byAnonymous, Karlsruhe LX, Anonymous Composer
    Performed byAnonymous 4
  15. 15 Cum vox sanguinis, hymn for Saint Ursula & her Companions - Hildegard von Bingen & Anonymous 4 (1:38)
    Composed byHildegard von Bingen
    Performed byAnonymous 4
  16. 16 O rubor sanguinis, antiphon for Saint Ursula & her companions - Hildegard von Bingen & Anonymous 4 (5:03)
    Composed byHildegard von Bingen
    Performed byAnonymous 4
  17. 17 Magnificat anima mea / O rubor sanguinis, canticle - Anonymous, Ahrweil Antiphoner & Anonymous 4 (2:02)
    Composed byAnonymous, Ahrweil Antiphoner, Anonymous Composer
    Performed byAnonymous 4
  18. 18 Te lucis ante terminum, hymn - Anonymous, Ahrweil Antiphoner & Anonymous 4 (0:47)
    Composed byAnonymous, Ahrweil Antiphoner, Anonymous Composer
    Performed byAnonymous 4
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Album Credits

Performance Credits
Anonymous 4 Primary Artist
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Customer Reviews

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Sort by: Showing 1 Customer Review

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Music to soothe the savage beast

    I have been teaching religious education to second grade students for many years, and I am amazed at the difference in my students on those occasions when this CD is playing as they come in. They sit down and get started on quiet projects, instead of running circles around the room. This is very relaxing, very calming music -- a perfect companion when you are trying to write under a deadline. Everyone who hears it asks me about it. The Anonymous 4 have performed these pieces to perfection!

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.
Sort by: Showing 1 Customer Review