Benedicta: Marian Chant from Norcia (2015)
performed by
The Monks of Norcia
composed by
Anonymous, Anonymous, Chartres Polyphony, Anonymous, English, Anonymous, Manuscript of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem in the 12th century, Gregorian Chant, Plainchant, Recorded Sound, Spoken Word
The potential buyer of an album of Gregorian chant has many choices, some of which have even reached top chart levels. But this one by the Monks of Norcia, a Benedictine group (said to make great beer) whose monastery is located near the original home of St. Benedict in Nurcia, Italy, stands out in several ways. First there is the program: chant recordings tend to bifurcate into new agey relaxation exercises on one hand and involved scholarly exercises on the other. Monks of Norcia bring a group of chants on a single ...
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The potential buyer of an album of Gregorian chant has many choices, some of which have even reached top chart levels. But this one by the Monks of Norcia, a Benedictine group (said to make great beer) whose monastery is located near the original home of St. Benedict in Nurcia, Italy, stands out in several ways. First there is the program: chant recordings tend to bifurcate into new agey relaxation exercises on one hand and involved scholarly exercises on the other. Monks of Norcia bring a group of chants on a single subject, Mary, with the different types specified (mostly antiphons and responsories): this gives the music content and focus without bogging down in detail. Second, the monks themselves are very fine singers; this is plainly an institution with a long musical history. Third, Universal does an exceptional job with the sound, recorded at the monastery itself and communicating the feeling that the singing is made to fit the place. And finally there is something common enough in places where...
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- Bells: Bells from the Basilica
- Ave Maria virgo serena
- Scripture Reading, Bible: Dominus possedit me (Proverbs 8:22-24, Reading for Lauds of the Immaculate Conception)
- Nihil Inquinatum (Vespers responsory of the Immaculate Conception), for chorus
- Immaculée Conception
- Veni virgo beatissima
- Regali ex progenie (10th Century, Luds antiphon for the Nativity of Mary)
- Solem justitiæ, responsory (On Mary's Born Feast)
- Scripture Reading, Bible: Ecce virgo concipiet (Isiah 7:14-15, Reading for Lauds of the Annuciation)
- Gaude Maria virgo cunctas hærese, responsory (Pozsony Antiphonal)
- Gabriel Angelus (& Magnificat), antiphon in mode 7
- Sancta et immaculata virginitas, motet
- Rubum quem viderat (antiphon) & Magnificat
- Alma redemptoris mater
- Tuam ipsius animam (Vespers antiphon for Our Lady of Sorrows)
- Scripture Reading, Bible: Cui comparabo te? (Lamentations 2:13, reading for Lauds of Our Lady of Sorrows)
- Vadis propitiator, responsory in mode 7
- Ave regina celorum, antiphon
- Lætare Virgo Mater (from antiphons dedicated to the Rosary)
- Regina coeli, antiphon
- Concordi laetitia
- Scripture Reading, Bible: Benedixit te (Judith 13:22, Reading for Lauds of the Assumption)
- Vidi speciosam, responsory, mode 3
- Virgo prudentissima, antiphon in mode 1 (for the Magnificat for Assumption of Mary)
- Christi virgo dilectissima, responsory
- Sub tuum præsidium, devotional antiphon
- Scripture Reading, Bible: Ab initio (Sirach 24:14, Reading for the Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary)
- Ave Maria, brief response in mode 6
- O gloriosa Domina - Amen
- Ave Maris Stella
- Congregavit nos in unum Christi amor, caritas song to the washing of the feet on Holy Thursday
- Salve regina, antiphon for choir
- Benedicta es, plainchant
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