La Bele Marie: Songs to the Virgin from 13th-Century France [Import]

Anonymous 4 (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 13, 2002)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Harmonia Mundi Fr.
• ASIN: B00006ALAG
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #157,456 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The arrival of a new Anonymous 4 album has become as much a fall ritual as the turning of the leaves. However, there's nothing rote about their 12th album for Harmonia Mundi. All 17 selections are in honor of the Virgin Mary, ground familiar to fans of the ensemble's breakthrough first album, An English Ladymass (as well as 1998's Lammas Ladymass). Drawing upon both the Latin liturgy and chansons adapted from the French trouvère tradition of secular love songs, the combination of sources powerfully illustrates how strong devotion to Mary was in medieval France. But even more immediately striking is the New York-based vocal quartet's near-magical ability to enrapture their listeners. Whether they are coursing through a simply elegant monophonic chant such as "O maria o felix puerpera," a dazzlingly florid work like "Mater patris et filia," or the ethereal harmonies of "Mundum renovavit," their perfect intonation and pure tone are sublime. There's a special treat here, too--each of the ladies performs one piece solo. It's a chance to hear each singer's unique contribution to the group's inimitable sound: Marsha Genensky's exquisite smoothness, Susan Hellauer's dark-hued loveliness, Jacqueline Horner's creamy lightness, and Johanna Maria Rose's radiant resonance. It's a record that will transport you to another world, and yet one more star to add to Anonymous 4's constellation of celestially beautiful recordings. --Anastasia Tsioulcas

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another masterpiece from Anonymous 4, February 15, 2003

By 

R. Rockwell (Brooklyn, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: La Bele Marie: Songs to the Virgin from 13th-Century France (Audio CD)

For me what sets apart an Anonymous 4 recording, besides the wongerful singing is the presentation of a coherent program that only enhances the listening enjoyment. This disc contains anonymous chansons and conducti--with the exception of the "Beata viscera" of Perotin. These enchanting hymns and songs to the virgin Mary are vividly brought to life by the ensemble. I highly recommend this recording.

19 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The bewitching variety of Anonymous 4, October 23, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: La Bele Marie: Songs to the Virgin from 13th-Century France (Audio CD)

The child-like simplicity beguiles the music's endless array of intricacies
and subtleties. The crisp phrasing, exquisite nuances, poingnant details of haunting beauty is heard throughout the disc. Perotin and Notre Dame over all, were lyrics of the first water.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exquisite Voices, September 2, 2009

By 

Rev. A. Trethowan (Perth, Western Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: La Bele Marie: Songs to the Virgin from 13th-Century France (Audio CD)

The beautiful Mary serenades by the beautiful voices of the four with no name. If you like the period, your could listen to no better interpretations and technical performance. If you like the period it will almost certaily move your heart.