Ivan Moody Anonymous Gregorian Chant - Words of the Angel (20 tracks) +Album Reviews

Hauntingly Beautiful

Sally Atman | Redondo Beach, CA United States | 05/17/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this CD on an impulse, not knowing what to expect. The three a capella female vocalists harmonize in the most eerily beautiful way -- this CD is as close to transcendental music as I've ever heard. Everyone I've shared it with has had the same reaction -- the music is riviting and relaxing at the same time. A must for Gregorian chant lovers and anyone else who appreciates the majesty of the human voice."

Out of this world!

William M. Hinds | Kerrville, TX | 03/05/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This recording simply stops you in your tracks- you put down what you are doing and listen! Sublimely beautiful,this music is ectasy for the ears. The three Norwegian women who do the singing are extraordinary. Do yourself a favor. Acquire this recording, take some time, and listen!"

Transporting Music

Grady Harp | Los Angeles, CA United States | 09/28/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Trio Mediaeval is the name chosen by three Scandinavian singers who specialize in the early music of the church. Gregorian chant or Plainsong is one of the oldest forms of Western religious music and though much of the original chanting was one-part intoning by the monks, the composers of the time gradually created polyphony and the results are well sampled on this beautifully recorded CD.

Not only does this a cappela trio of women's voices demonstrate a clarity of tone and pitch and timbre, they move through these at times complex harmonies with utter ease. In addition to excerpts from the Anonymous Tournai Mass, the Trio weaves the mysteries of English and Italian chant and even includes a truly beautiful contemporary setting of the chant form by Ivan Moody entitled 'Words of the Angel'.

This is one of those recordings that soothes the mind and soul and confirms the importance of medieval music on the development of music through the ages. A new recording by this group entitled "Stella Maris" is promised soon and having heard that recording it is even better! The Trio Mediaeval is a fine performing arts group that should have a long life. Highly recommended. Grady Harp, September 05"

If You Like "Anonymous 4" ...

Giordano Bruno | Wherever I am, I am. | 01/31/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"... you're almost certain to adore the a capella women's voices of "Trio Mediaeval". They interpret the same repertoire, specializing in the mostly anonymous early polyphony, sacred and secular, of England, but willingly extending their programs to France and Italy. They sing it angelically... with the melancholy allure of Romanesque chapels by twilight... and in neither case is there the slightest historical justification for such an affect or for the performance of such music by women at all. In short, they are both intrinsically "modern" ensembles making new use of ancient material. Both ensembles do it beautifully, but I give the edge to Trio Mediaeval in terms of technical virtuosity. Their tuning is more accurate, the vocal blend is better balanced with contralto Torunn Ossum holding the 'tenor', their ornamentation is more graceful and natural, and quite frankly they have lovelier voices. The three women -- Anna Maria Friman, Linn Andrea Fuglseth, and Torunn Østrem Ossum -- are Norwegians, who have studied with Paul Hillier of the Hilliard Ensemble.

The repertoire on this CD has three parts. The centerpiece is the famous "Missa Tournai", the oldest known polyphonic setting of the mass ordinaries (Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Agnus Dei, Ita missa est), assembled in a choirbook sometime in the 14th Century but almost certainly taken from various sources. Interspersed among the ordinaries are several monodies (solo voices) from the Laudario de Cortona, Italy. Most interesting of all, musically, are eight anonymous polyphonic 'antiphons' from manuscripts that have survived the destruction of monasteries in England. This is truly mysterious, almost barbaric, pre-European music, which carries one back to the Romanesque Abbeys, to the synthesis of Celtic and Nordic cultures that distinguished English music from anything continental right until the end of the 17th C."

Search - Ivan Moody, Anonymous, Gregorian Chant :: Words of the Angel

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