Eya Mater

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
It's an interesting phenomenon--taking music so specific to place and function out of its intended context and "performing" it for an individual listener. The singular purpose for which Gregorian chant was created--to serve the practice of the Holy Offices of the church--would seem to inhibit its effectiveness when sung completely disconnected from a church service. Somehow, these often very beautiful and intricate melodies work their own magic anyway, irrespective of occasion or religious persuasion of the listener. Discantus--an eight-voice women's a cappella ensemble--performs these 14 chants and polyphonic pieces from the 11th and 12th centuries in a lively, well-articulated style, with a sound reminiscent of Anonymous 4, only a bit edgier and more filled-out, probably owing to the greater number of singers. --David Vernier

Tracks:

Hymn: A solis ortus cardine
Carol: Nowell, nowell
Carol: Hayl Mary, ful of grace
Motet: Venter tuus
Antiphon: Facta est cum angelo
Canticle: Benedicite omnia opera domini domino
Carol: As I outrode this endres night
Carol: Ecce, quod natura
Motet: Nesciens mater
Carol: A, my dere, a, my dere Son
Carol: Nowel, nowel
Hymn: Sancte dei preciose
Carol: Eya, martir Stephane
Responsory: Hic est discipulus
Carol: Worcepe we this holy day
Carol: Lully lulla
Carol: Seynt Thomas honour we
Antiphon: Magi videntes stellam
Carol: Ave Rex angelorum
Motet: Gaude virgo mater Christi
Antiphon: Alleluya, omnes de saba
Canticle: Nunc dimittis

Customer Reviews:

A spiritual holiday treat.......2003-11-04

Lionheart once again delights with a splendid mixture of chants and hymns, this time centered on medieval Christmas fare. Their sense of ensemble and balance is magical - there are no individuals in this group - they sing as one luscious voice.

Average customer rating:

Precise performances of festive music

Medieval Carols

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

English Medieval Christmas
Now Make We Merthe
A Feast of Songs: Holiday Music from the Middle Ages
A Medieval Christmas
Medieval Christmas

ASIN: B0000013XQ
Release Date: 1994-02-15

Tracks:

Ave Maria - Debroah Mackay/Philip Cave/Jeremy Summerly
What tidlings bringest thou? - Debroah Mackay/Philip Cave
O viridissima virga - Rebecca Outram
Alma redemptoris matter - Debroah Mackay/Philip Cave/Jeremy Summerly
Deo gracias Angila - Jeremy Summerly/Debroah Mackay/Philip Cave/Rebecca Outram
Be merry be merry - Debroah Mackay/Jeremy Summerly/Philip Cave
Riu riu chiu - Jeremy Summerly/Debroah Mackay/Philip Cave/Rebecca Outram
There is no rose - Debroah Mackay/Philip Cave
Planctus Guillelmus - Jeremy Summerly
Eya mater Stephane - Jeremy Summerly/Debroah Mackay/Philip Cave/Rebecca Outram
Gaudete Christus est natus - Jeremy Summerly/Debroah Mackay/Philip Cave/Rebecca Outram
Hail Mary full of grace - Debroah Mackay/Philip Cave/Rebecca Outram
Now may we singen - Philip Cave/Rebecca Outram/Jeremy Summerly
Nowell sing we - Jeremy Summerly/Debroah Mackay/Philip Cave
Planctus David - Philip Cave

Customer Reviews:

Precise performances of festive music.......2006-08-11

This anthology of early Christmas music provides a refreshing alternative to traditional seasonal releases, introducing the newcomer to these works with a representative and well contrasted programme. The performances - by a much reduced Oxford Camerata - are carefully executed and well-balanced, if perhaps not authoritative, and a bargain at this price.

From a musicological viewpoint, there are, however, a few points worthy of mention. Firstly, it must be admitted that there is a certain degree of artistic licence with the title "Medieval Carols" given the inclusion of 2 Renaissance works in the programme - 'Riu, riu, chiu' (from 'Villancicos de diversos autores' [1556] but here craftily attributed to "traditional") and 'Gaudete!' (correctly indicated as of 15th century origin, but in fact here performed as in the extant version from 'Piae Cantiones', 1582). In addition, whilst the 'Agincourt' carol may draw attention to the varying functions served by the Medieval carol, it is textually at odds with the rest of the programme (commemorating Henry V's famous 1415 victory there). Lastly, it seems a shame that here - as on so many other recordings of pre-Baroque Christmas music - texts and pronunciation are modernised, a fact exacerbated by some peculiar word-underlay in some of the editions.

Still, the CD is well worth owning for the music alone (particularly at this price) and goes some way to reminding us that Christmas is more than merely a secular family occasion.

Average customer rating:

Clarifications!
A Five-Voice Marathon

Popes & Antipopes
Matheus de Sancto Johanne , Egidius , Philippus de Caserta , Johannes Ciconia , Bartolomeus de Bononia , Gilet Velut , Jean (Jean de Noyons) Tapissier , Antonius da Civitate Austrie , Nicola (Magister Zachar Zacharie , Johannes Brassart , Guillaume Dufay , and Orlando Consort
Manufacturer: Metronome
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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Motets | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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John Dunstaple: Musician to the Plantagenets /Orlando Consort

ASIN: B000002K3U
Release Date: 1995-09-19

Tracks:

Gloria, Clemens Deus Artifex Tota Clementia
Pictagore Per Dognata/O Terra Sancta/Rosa Vernans
Inclite Flos Orti Gebenensis
Courtois Et Sages
Par Les Bons Gedeon
O Petre, Christi Discipule
Arte Psalentes
Benedicta Viscera/Ave Mater Gratie/Ora Pro Nobis
Gloria Suscipe Trinitas
Eya Dulcis/Vale Placens
Clarus Ortu/Gloriosa Mater
Gia Per Gran Nobelta
Te Dignitas Presularis
Balsamus Et Munda Cera
Supremum Est
Ecclesie Militantis

Customer Reviews:

Clarifications!.......2007-04-23

First, this IS music for everyone, contrary to the previous reviewer's pessimism, because it's wonderful music spectacularly well sung. This is one of the very few masterful performances of the diffilcult music of the Codex Chantilly, but don't worry about the musicology. Just buy the CD, put it on a good sound system and listen.
Second, there are no viols nor violas involved, despite the listing of selections above. Amazon has messed up a classical listing again by confounding the Orlando Consort of singers with the Orlando Viol Consort.

A Five-Voice Marathon.......2005-09-29

This is a record of music very unusual to the modern ear, from the time of the great Western schism of the Catholic Church in the 14th and early 15th centuries. Orlando Consort, here four male voices (two tenors, a countertenor, a bass) joined occasionally by a female (alto) run a 16 song marathon without instrumental accompaniment that sounds like a single song. One voice is ahead and then another, with the rest providing counter-point behind, rising and falling steadily within a set course -- nothing unusually high or low, nothing jarring, but always lovely and lilting, neither sweet nor rough -- five joggers maintaining a brisk but overall even and unitary pace.

Listening to a music of such subtlety obviously requires great patience, the aesthetic is so radically different from what we are used to, yet the effort is quite worth it. This is the atmosphere of the papal courts of Avignon and Rome, the same highly refined atmosphere that produced Petrarch's 365 Canzones, one for each day of the year, most in a few set forms with only subtle variations, all essentially on the same theme. What is prized is regularity, evenness, modulation -- offered as high praise to some proper object. For Petrarch, it was his passion for Laura. For these courtly song writers, it was a new pope, a papal occasion, a papal relative, or -- in three remarkable pieces here --a plea for an end to the schism. Full Latin texts with English prose translations are provided for each piece, along with a good historical introduction.

This is not music for everyone. Nor even for those who like it will it be for every day. It is also neither as universally appealing as Gregorian chant, nor anywhere near the emotional depth that may be found in the analogously apparent monotony of Orthodox liturgical music. What is here, however, is an astonishing dimension added to one's understanding of what was indeed an unusual era, quite lovingly and expertly brought forward by this little vocal group. Besides the rupture which damaged Christendom, Avignon's big contribution to the future of the papacy (and Europe) was the refinement of beaurocracy. In this sense, one sees the radically muted tonality of this music fitting like a glove, leaving an impression of an aesthetic not unlike those seemingly endless dynasties of Egypt or the Orient. In our own time the affinity would be to Phillip Glass or Brian Eno -- outside the apparent warp and woof of the age at street level, but quite at home in the elevators of the corporate skyscrapers that keep the capital and dollars flowing that underlie the whole gameboard.

Average customer rating:

Eya Mater

Manufacturer: Opus 111
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Chants | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000005W4G
Release Date: 1996-04-10

Amazon.com

It's an interesting phenomenon--taking music so specific to place and function out of its intended context and "performing" it for an individual listener. The singular purpose for which Gregorian chant was created--to serve the practice of the Holy Offices of the church--would seem to inhibit its effectiveness when sung completely disconnected from a church service. Somehow, these often very beautiful and intricate melodies work their own magic anyway, irrespective of occasion or religious persuasion of the listener. Discantus--an eight-voice women's a cappella ensemble--performs these 14 chants and polyphonic pieces from the 11th and 12th centuries in a lively, well-articulated style, with a sound reminiscent of Anonymous 4, only a bit edgier and more filled-out, probably owing to the greater number of singers. --David Vernier

Average customer rating:

Codex Franus

Manufacturer: Supraphon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00000JF5S
Release Date: 1999-09-15

Average customer rating:

Codex Speciálník

Manufacturer: Ecm Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

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

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

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ASIN: B0000031XX
Release Date: 1995-06-13

Tracks:

Exordium quadruplate; Nate dei; Concrepet; Verbum caro
Tria sunt munera; Videntes stellam; Reges Tharsis
In natali domini
Sophia nascitur; O quam pulchra; Magi videntes
Congaudemus pariter; En lux immensa
Magnim miraculum
Nobis est natus
Salve mater gracie
Christus iam surrexit; Terra tremuit; Angelus domini; Surrexit Christus
Presulem ephebeatum
Paraneuma eructemus
Presidiorum erogatrix
Pneuma eucaristiarum; Veni vere illustrator; Dator eya; Paraclito tripudia
Terrigenarum plasmator
Pulcherrima rosa
Chorus iste
Bud' buohu chvala cest
O virens virginum
Kyrie Petite Camusette
Gloria Petite Camusette
Tota pulchra es
Credo Petite Camusette
Ave pura tu puella
Sanctus Petite Camusette
Ave Maria

Amazon.com

"What century are we in?"you may ask when you hear the first 10 seconds of this very unusual recording of music "from a Prague manuscript c. 1500." Strange, too, is the title, which is the name of this "special songbook," one of the oldest surviving collections of Czech renaissance polyphony. The attention-getting opening piece is an example of a multiple-texted motet in which several sets of words are sung at the same time. But the textual chaos of this anonymous work is quickly followed by more refined works--the familiar "In natali domini," the haunting "Magnum miraculum," the exquisitely tender "Salve mater gracie," and the heartbreakingly beautiful "Presidiorum erogatrix," to name only four of many. Some of the pieces are original Czech works, while others are "imported" from well-known European composers such as Josquin and Agricola. The four male voices of the Hilliard Ensemble submit for our approval another of their trademark flawless performances--and leave us with only one choice: We have to have it. --David Vernier

Codex Las Huelgas: Music from 13th Century Spain

Average customer rating:

This is the one to get
The garden of pleasures
One of the best Huelgas Ensemble Record

Codex Las Huelgas: Music from 13th Century Spain
Huelgas Ensemble , and Paul van Nevel
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0000028YQ
Release Date: 1993-11-16

Tracks:

Ex illustri nata prosapia
Crucifigat omnes
O Maria maris stella
Ex agone sanguinis
Belial vocatur
Sanctus
Agnus Dei
Benedicamus Domino
Flavit auster
Eya mater
Quis dabit capiti
Casta catholica
Homo miserabilis

Amazon.com

Just how engaging, catchy, lively, and artful can 13th century Spanish music be? Very, as evidenced by this collection of motets, conductus, mass movements, and strophic songs from the legendary manuscript compiled at the 12th-century Cistercian convent at Las Huelgas. This remarkable program, highlighting only a handful of the nearly 200 works contained in the original manuscript, shows not only the beauty and inventiveness of sacred music of this period, but also how colorful and varied it could be. And just how well sung and played is it? Impressively, as shown by these five exceptional female voices and period instrumentalists from the superb Huelgas Ensemble. Instruments--recorders, fiddles, rebec, and percussion--are sparingly and effectively used, and the singers treat us to exciting yet rarely heard ornamentation, an ancient art that sounds eerily modern. --David Vernier

Customer Reviews:

This is the one to get.......2006-11-23

If you're at all interested in music from the Las Huelgas Codex, one of the monuments of medieval polyphonic notation, this is hands down the best recording. There aren't too many recordings out there solely devoted to this one source. All of the pieces are performed by a various combinations of women's voices and instruments. The women sing with clear voices and impeccable tuning. The instruments add a nice touch. They also experiment quite a bit with ornamentation which makes the performances really interesting. Think Anonymous 4 but with more energy and variety (and I do like Anonymous 4.) I found the 4-part conductus Belial Vocatur particularly enjoyable, and the hocket in Casta Catholica is spot on. I think the original performers would be pleased.

The garden of pleasures.......2003-06-05

I just got this cd and after hearing it couple of times i know this : This is one of the best albums of early music that i've had purchase over the years. The vocales are outstanding : authentic and pure angelic and combine this with period instruments and you will get a religion expirience of total beauty.
This album is for pepole who realy apprichiate true early music, it blew me away... dont miss this title, make your self a gift and buy it quick!

One of the best Huelgas Ensemble Record.......1999-04-17

It is music of the 13th century.If you are looking for medieval music, this is highly recomended, you will be astounded by the artists interpretations, it will trasnport you to a medieval court. The female voices are like being in heaven.

Average customer rating:

Eya Mater-Music in the Middle Ages
Various
Manufacturer: Opus 111
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B00009QNT9
Release Date: 2003-07-01

Average customer rating:

Adoration: Eya Mater & Llibre Vermell
Discantus , and Alla Francesca
Manufacturer: Opus 111
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00000G3ZT
Release Date: 1998-11-24

Average customer rating:

a mixed bag
Uninspiring

Codex Speciálník

Manufacturer: Ecm Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

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

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

ECM Classical | ECM Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

ECM Jazz & World | ECM Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000025XD5
Release Date: 2000-04-18

Tracks:

Exordium quadruplate; Nate dei; Concrepet; Verbum caro
Tria sunt munera; Videntes stellam; Reges Tharsis
In natali domini
Sophia nascitur; O quam pulchra; Magi videntes
Congaudemus pariter; En lux immensa
Magnim miraculum
Nobis est natus
Salve mater gracie
Christus iam surrexit; Terra tremuit; Angelus domini; Surrexit Christus
Presulem ephebeatum
Paraneuma eructemus
Presidiorum erogatrix
Pneuma eucaristiarum; Veni vere illustrator; Dator eya; Paraclito tripudia
Terrigenarum plasmator
Pulcherrima rosa
Chorus iste
Bud' buohu chvala cest
O virens virginum
Kyrie Petite Camusette
Gloria Petite Camusette
Tota pulchra es
Credo Petite Camusette
Ave pura tu puella
Sanctus Petite Camusette
Ave Maria

Amazon.com

What century are we in? You may ask that when you hear the first 10 seconds of this very unusual recording of music "from a Prague manuscript c. 1500." Strange, too, is the title, which is the name of this "special songbook," one of the oldest surviving collections of Czech renaissance polyphony. The attention-getting opening piece is an example of a multiple-texted motet in which several sets of words are sung at the same time. But the textual chaos of this anonymous work is quickly followed by more refined works--the familiar "In natali domini," the haunting "Magnum miraculum," the exquisitely tender "Salve mater gracie," and the heartbreakingly beautiful "Presidiorum erogatrix," to name only four of many. Some of the pieces here are original Czech works; others are "imported" from well-known European composers, such as Josquin and Agricola. The four male voices of the Hilliard Ensemble submit for our approval another of their trademark flawless performances--and leave us with only one choice: we have to have it. --David Vernier

Customer Reviews:

a mixed bag.......2002-03-12

Like many of the Hilliard Ensemble's ECM discs, there is a passionlessness and stylistic homogeneity about much of the singing here that makes it quite an effort to get through much of this disc in one sitting. David James's affected countertenor in particular gets tiring on the ear. But the reason why this still gets 4 stars is that this is a fascinating collection of widely divergent pieces, from tangled Ars Nova polyphony through shimmeringly beautiful, more static mid-15th century pieces such as John Plummer's "Tota Pulchra Es" and the gorgeous anonymous "Magnum Miraculum", all the way through to the more familiar Renaissance masters like Josquin and Agricola. The Hilliards' reading of the Josquin warhorse "Ave Maria" is slow, empty and totally lacking forward momentum: you wonder why they bothered recording it if they were as bored with it as they sound. But they save their most vital performances for the astonishing anonymous "Missa Petite Camusette", which alone justifies the exorbitant ECM price. Whoever this composer was, it was no hack. The original Ockeghem melody is masterfully treated in rich, imitative textures, full of yearning melodic flourishes, and slow moving, but poised harmonies based on the cantus firmus. If you prefer your Renaissance polyphony artificially flavoured with Kenny G, stay well away from this disc. If you want a fascinating tour through the polyphonic backwaters of the Renaissance, get this.

Uninspiring.......2001-02-18

There is some beautiful music here, beautifully performed. The problem is that none of it is as truly haunting as such music can be at its best. Istead, the disc feels a bit too much like an academic exercise: going through an overly long selection of pieces without paying enough attention to the cumulative emotional effect.

If you are new to sacred early music this is not the place to start. For that, I would recommend "Perotin" also by the Hilliard Ensemble, or some Hildegard of Bingen (particularly "A Feather on the Breath of God"). For something a bit more challenging try "Mnemosyne" by the Hilliards with saxophonist Jan Garbarek.These will give you a much better sense of how a single disc from this genre can provide a moving listening experience.

Track Listings:

Track Listings

Cool Blues, Jumps & Shuffles

Tricycle [Hybrid SACD]

Test Record [Live]

Booty Jams

Frank Sinatra Medley [CD-single]

Constance Keene Plays Sonatas

Fiddlesticks Collection

Cannonball Adderley Collection, Vol. 4: The Poll Winners