Miracles of Sant'iago: Music from the Codex Calistinus

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com essential recording
The program is a selection of chant and polyphony taken from a fascinating 12th-century manuscript that includes not only music but also sermons, stories, legends, and "an informative travel guide to the pilgrimage routes through France and Spain." The collection originated in France, but since the late 12th century it has resided in the famed Cathedral of Santiago in Compostela, Spain. In a purely vocal sense, these performances are transcendent: impeccable intonation, no false turns or failed leaps, and an ethereal ambience that is hard to describe with mere words. Musically, this recording features some of Anonymous 4's most engaging repertoire. No matter how many Anonymous 4/medieval music recordings you already own, these four women will still manage to keep you transfixed throughout, bringing you awesomely close to the spiritual essence of these impassioned yet often simple works of religious devotion. --David Vernier

Miracles of Sant'iago: Music from the Codex Calistinus, Music, Ambrosian Chant, Gregorian Chant, Codex Calixtinus Anonymous, Anonymous, Italian Anonymous, Anonymous 4, Choral, Choral Music, Classical, Classical Artists, Classical Music, Miscellaneous, Miscellaneous Music, Vocal, Vocal Music, Western European Chant

Miracles of Sant'iago: Music from the Codex Calistinus
Average customer rating:

Great, as usual.

Miraculous music

The sirens of heaven

A real miracle

"Sublime" is an understatement

Miracles of Sant'iago: Music from the Codex Calistinus
Ambrosian Chant , Gregorian Chant , Codex Calixtinus Anonymous , Anonymous , Italian Anonymous , and Anonymous 4
Manufacturer: Harmonia Mundi Fr.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
Sacred & Religious | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music | Requiems
Vocal & Song | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music | Requiems
Anonymous 4 | ( A ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Chants | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

The Lily and the Lamb: Chant and Polyphony from Medieval England

Love's Illusion-Music From The Montpellier Codex 13th Century

Lammas Ladymass - 13th and 14th Century English Chant and Polyphony

The Origin of Fire: Music and Visions of Hildegard von Bingen

An English Ladymass: Medieval Chant and Polyphony

ASIN: B0000007F1
Release Date: 1996-02-26

Tracks:

Medival Chant & Polyphony For St. James From The Codex Calixtinus: Invitatory: Venite omnes cristicole
Medival Chant & Polyphony For St. James From The Codex Calixtinus: Processional: Salve festa dies
Medival Chant & Polyphony For St. James From The Codex Calixtinus: Benedicamus trope: Vox nostra resonet
Medival Chant & Polyphony For St. James From The Codex Calixtinus: Invitatory: Regem regum dominum
Medival Chant & Polyphony For St. James From The Codex Calixtinus: Benedicamus trope: Nostra phalanx plaudat leta
Medival Chant & Polyphony For St. James From The Codex Calixtinus: Antiphon: Ad sepulcrum beati Iacobi
Medival Chant & Polyphony For St. James From The Codex Calixtinus: Benedicamus trope: Ad superni regis decus
Medival Chant & Polyphony For St. James From The Codex Calixtinus: Brief responsory: Iacobe servorum
Medival Chant & Polyphony For St. James From The Codex Calixtinus: Benedicamus domino
Medival Chant & Polyphony For St. James From The Codex Calixtinus: Conductus: In hac die laudes
Medival Chant & Polyphony For St. James From The Codex Calixtinus: Kyrie trope: Cunctipotens genitor
Medival Chant & Polyphony For St. James From The Codex Calixtinus: Hymn: Psallat chorus celestium
Medival Chant & Polyphony For St. James From The Codex Calixtinus: Prosa: Alleluia: Gratulemur et letemur
Medival Chant & Polyphony For St. James From The Codex Calixtinus: Offeratory: Ascendens Ihesus in montem
Medival Chant & Polyphony For St. James From The Codex Calixtinus: Agnus dei trope: Qui pius ac mitis
Medival Chant & Polyphony For St. James From The Codex Calixtinus: Benedicamus trope: Gratulantes celebremus festum
Medival Chant & Polyphony For St. James From The Codex Calixtinus: Conductus: Iacobe sancte tuum
Medival Chant & Polyphony For St. James From The Codex Calixtinus: Responsory: O adiutor onmium seculorum
Medival Chant & Polyphony For St. James From The Codex Calixtinus: Prosa: Portum in ultimo
Medival Chant & Polyphony For St. James From The Codex Calixtinus: Benedicamus trope: Congaudeant catholici
Medival Chant & Polyphony For St. James From The Codex Calixtinus: Prosa: Clemens servulorum

Amazon.com essential recording

The program is a selection of chant and polyphony taken from a fascinating 12th-century manuscript that includes not only music but also sermons, stories, legends, and "an informative travel guide to the pilgrimage routes through France and Spain." The collection originated in France, but since the late 12th century it has resided in the famed Cathedral of Santiago in Compostela, Spain. In a purely vocal sense, these performances are transcendent: impeccable intonation, no false turns or failed leaps, and an ethereal ambience that is hard to describe with mere words. Musically, this recording features some of Anonymous 4's most engaging repertoire. No matter how many Anonymous 4/medieval music recordings you already own, these four women will still manage to keep you transfixed throughout, bringing you awesomely close to the spiritual essence of these impassioned yet often simple works of religious devotion. --David Vernier

Customer Reviews:

Great, as usual........2005-11-12

'Miracles of Sant'Iago' by the Anonymous 4 is yet another collection of medieval chants. This time, its from the Spanish shrine reputed to be the site of Saint James' tomb. This is significant, and the reason for the site's being a major pilgrimage destination, because James was the first disciple of Christ.

While the location is Spanish, virtually all the texts are in Latin, and practically all are in plainsong, with very little polyphony. So, if it is the multipart singing you like, this may not have as much as you would like to hear.

I have been listening to Anonymous 4 recordings for about 10 years now, but my reviewing the titles in my colleciton brings be to the conclusion that unless you are a big fan of Medieval music, you may want to pass on this particular title and go for the masses such as 'A Lammas Ladymass' or the collections of secular motets such as 'Love's Illusion'.

But, If you really like this stuff as I do, this is as good as it gets in the relatively uniform Anonymous 4 body of work.

Miraculous music.......2005-10-12

The music in this collection is done in honour of St. James, the first of the apostles to die a martyr's death. Reportedly buried in Compostela, Spain, his burial place became a pilgrimage destination, and the music composed in his honour was very popular in the Middle Ages. This was especially true in Spain when the Christian fervour to recapture the peninsula was in full force. St. James was a miracle worker during his lifetime, and, according to legend, his presence would still enact miracles for the faithful who would trek to his shrine.

Much of this music comes from a book that has survived from the Cathedral of Santiago. Much of the music contained in that book is plainchant, with the rest polyphonic works. There are some pieces that are liturgical, and others that are sacred or so inspired, but not strictly liturgical in nature.

The compositions show somewhat of the international nature of Christendom of the time - despite being in Santiago and used by the Spanish church, much of the composition was done by French clerics and writers, written in Cluny.

According to Susan Hellauer, 'As our guiding principle we have tried to be true to the infectiously joyful and exuberant melody that pervades this remarkable collection, made for and performed by the young treble voices of a medieval French grammar school.'

The blend of voices here is superb, and the spirit is soaring in many respects. As a friend of mine and I listened to this disc last night, she remarked on one of the songs, 'That's a merry little piece!' It is remarkable to listen to the voices of women singing this music, a different feel indeed from the monks or men and boys choirs that are more standard fare.

-- Liner Notes --
This text accompaniment to this disc is very. The liner notes include a description of the work, a brief piece about the quartet, and the lyrics of the songs both in original language and in translation. The cover art features images of St. James, and there is a reprint of a page from the Codex Calixtinus inside, as well as a plate from the Forster Book of Hours.

-- Anonymous 4 --
Contrary to the implication of their name, the Anonymous 4 are not anonymous. This is a vocal quartet made up of Ruth Cunningham, Marsha Genensky, Susan Hellauer, and Johanna Rose at the time of this recording (Ruth Cunningham will later go on to a solo career early, and another member will join - Jacqueline Horner). They came together as a formal group in 1986, and have been ensemble-in-residence at St. Michael's Church in New York City, giving concert series in New York as well as throughout North America. They have been featured a number of times on national media in North America as well as Germany. They then went on to yet more success, eventually performing more that 1000 concerts worldwide.

Their specialty is working with chant, monophonic and polyphonic music, and working with medieval texts. According to one source, 'The group takes its name from an anonymous music theorist of the late 13th century, Anonymous IV, who is the principal source on the two famous composers of the Notre Dame school, Léonin and Pérotin.'

The group ended a touring career of nearly two decades in 2004.

The sirens of heaven.......2001-05-24

This album was my entrance to the early music world and because of it i continud exploring the wonderful sounds of ancient times . the magicle voices of this 4 angles will in seconds take you into a time travel to the medieval world with so mutch beauty that u'll say "This must be a dream..."

A real miracle.......2001-04-19

Certainly, I am not being original, if I say that the way Anonymous 4 sing in this record is itself a real miracle, but I am just telling an obvious truth.

In "Miracles of Santiago", the performers almost reach a level of divine perfection, guiding the listener to a state of pure spiritual peace, carrying him to an era where our western cultural heritage dives some of her deepest roots.

A wonderful record that I highly praise and recommend to everybody.

"Sublime" is an understatement.......2000-11-19

Susan Hellauer, Ruth Cunningham, Marsha Genesky, and Johanna Rose have produced what is possibly the most sublime recording I have ever heard. From the first moment of the recording until the last, I was transfixed by their ethereal, uplifting sound, and found myself wanting to run right out and get their other CDs. Every person who is interested in early music will be impressed by their scholarly yet artistic aproach to these texts, and by their first rate performances.

Music Review:

Music Review

music review

Music Review

Hundred Year Hall [Live]

Schubert: Symphony No.5/Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 4

Ray Dudley on the 1878 Erard piano

Human After All

Pure Techno, Vol. 2

Sleeping Through the Rain

Raga Bilaskhani Todi [CD-single]

Sister Phantom Owl Fish

Queen of the Circulating Libr [Import]

Piano Sonatas 1 & 2 / 3 Argentine Dances

Return of//Dusty Blue [Import] [Original recording remastered]