Search - Scottish Anonymous, Red Byrd, Yorvox :: A Scottish Lady Mass

Scottish Anonymous, Red Byrd, Yorvox
A Scottish Lady Mass
Genre: Classical

Track Listings (15) - Disc #1
1. Introit: Gaudeamus Omnes
2. Kyrie: Rex, Virginum Amator
3. Gloria: Per Precem
4. Gradual: Propter Veritatem
5. Alleluya: Ave Maria Gratia Plena
6. Alleluya: Virga Florem Germinavit
7. Sequence: Missus Gabriel De Celis
8. Sequence: Hodierne Lux Dici
9. Offertory: O Vere Beata Sublimis
10. Sanctus: Mater Mitis
11. Sanctus: Christe Ierarchia
12. Sanctus: Voce Vita
13. Agnus Dei: Archetipi Mundi
14. Agnus Dei: Factus Homo
15. Communion: Principes Persecuti Sunt

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CD Details

All Artists: Scottish Anonymous, Red Byrd, Yorvox
Title: A Scottish Lady Mass
Members Wishing: 3
Total Copies: 1
Label: Hyperion UK
Release Date: 5/10/2005
Album Type: Import
Genre: Classical
Styles: Opera & Classical Vocal, Historical Periods, Early Music
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 034571172996

Synopsis

Product Description

Red Byrd At the center of what the Scottish Tourist Board likes to call the "Kingdom of Fife" is the town of St. Andrews. Now famed as much for golf courses as for the striking location of the cathedral and Bishop's castle. The early ecclesiastic inhabitants of St. Andrews were loosely affiliated to Rome, and there were strong links with the Continental mainland, with bishops amost exclusively coming from Norman families. It should therefore come as no surprise to find that St Andrews is the original home of a manuscript of polyphonic music whose contents originated in Paris. But what is surprising is the very nature of the music to be found in the pages of this manuscript. Liturgical idiosyncrasies abound as local musicians infuse the standard "Parisian" repertory with references to their own St Andrew, and the musical idiom finds itself stripped of many of the obfuscating intricacies

CD Reviews

The Purifying Mystery of Gregorian Chant

Grady Harp | Los Angeles, CA United States | 08/31/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Red Byrd is an ensemble of singers previously unknown to this reviewer, but if the present recording is in keeping with their performances, this is a group of immense talent. Many well-established choral ensembles study for years to achieve the difficult skills required to master Gregorian Chant. There must be a unity of sound and phrasing, a give and take when parts separate, an organic wholeness that makes this period and style from medieval times sustain in popularity not only with ecclesiastical modes but with contemporary compositions that base their form on the chant (works by Gorecki, Glass, Sandstrom, among others).

'A Scottish Lady Mass' (Lady equals Mary here) is by an anonymous composer from the 13th century and derives from St Andrews. The mass is intoned by two men (John Potter and Richard Wistreich) who lead the ensemble by introducing the line before the all-male singers take up the chant. Both of these 'intoners' have perfect pitch and wholly understand the mode. The Mass follows the usual liturgy - Introit, Kyrie, Gloria, Gradual, Alleluya, Sequence, Offertory, Sanctus, Agnus Dei, and Communion. The acoustic of this flawless recording is as close to 'being in the cathedral' as is possible - the resonance is allowed to bounce and echo and follow the mystery of the original chants.

This is a fine recording, both for those who collect and admire the Gregorian Chant and for those for whom this may be the first experience with the mysteries these chants convey. Running time 54 minutes. Highly Recommended. Grady Harp, August 05"