Customer Reviews

An English Ladymass: Medieval Chant and Polyphony

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Transport yourself to another time and another place with this mystical, mysterious, ethereal gem of an album. Fans of the "Chant" series will find themselves right at home, but this recording has a much broader appeal. While the "Chant" recordings focused on plainsong which tends towards unison tedium, this album -- and all the works of the fantastic Anonymous 4 -- offers a more accessible, harmonious sound. The beautiful, acapella harmonies of these four women are bound to fascinate and soothe any listener from any time. Putting in this CD and immersing yourself in the waves of sound can be a truly transcendant experiance; just listening will stop you in your tracks and allow you some quiet, contemplative time to center yourself or calm frazzled nerves. What better way to take a break from the hectic, day-to-day tribulations of the modern world than by escaping to another time entirely? Listen, and find yourself inexorably drawn back to a midieval -- almost primal -- calm. An essential recording: not to be missed.

This recording, which breathes a vibrant life into these anonymous mediaeval compositions, is a treasure, and one of the most rewarding discs in the recent avalanche of early music recordings. The spectacular singing of this quartet is well-known, but at least as much praise must be given to their generous and shrewd selection of tunes.

This disc is particularly notable for the 'Sanctus' they have chosen - it may well be the most perfect 'Sanctus' you'll ever hear: concise, gorgeous, polished, simple, yet possessing a profound beauty - it is a gem. Also of great interest are 'Jesu Christe Milde Moder' - a Stabat Mater in the Old English vernacular, and a beautiful version of the Marian hymn 'Ave Maris Stella'.

I first learned of the existence of Anonymous 4 from a National Public Radio program. This music deserves a wider exposure, but it also has some of the appeal of being something secret or rare. It expresses the timelessness of faith with lyrics sung in the ancient Latin and having been written so long ago. "Chant" by the Benedictine Monks was popular a few years ago and should not be confused with Anonymous 4's music. The "Polyphany" in the title is important. Chant creates a wonderful reverant and cloistered atmosphere. But, the four voices singing in polyphany creates something angelic and wonderful. I think this music is best enjoyed in the background while reading an inspiring book or taking comtemplative time. It is serious and spiritual but also relaxing and meditative. I highly recommend this particular CD.

The Ladymass is a special votive mass dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary - most major cathedrals would have a daily mass in the Lady chapel (a smaller worship space within the cathedral), and some churches would have special masses in honour of the Virgin on Saturdays. According to Hellauer, 'Of the English polyphony preserved from this time, almost all of which is sacred, roughly two-thirds is in honour of the Virgin.' The work here does not occur in one set piece as it might have back in the medieval times, for no complete records of this sort have survived. The Anonymous 4 have pieced together elements including chants, motets, and other mass elements to complete the task.

The voices of the Anonymous 4 are markedly different from men-and-boys choirs or monks that are typically the recording artists of this kind of music. It is often forgotten that such music was sung by women and monastic communities of nuns in the medieval time, too. One critic remarked, 'There is a captivating simplicity and directness about their performance, which naturally avoids many of the pitfalls of an overstretched attempt at reconstruction.' This is certainly true in this recording, which is wonderful in tone.

There is a spirit to the music. It is remarkable that a group with three sopranos and an alto could give such breadth and depth to the music, but it certainly is true of their performances. This particular recording is the first of theirs done for Harmonia Mundi.

-- Liner Notes --
This text accompaniment to this disc is very full, so much so that the booklet is not contained within the jewel case, but rather within a slipcover in which both the CD/jewel case and the booklet reside. The liner notes include a description of the work, a brief piece about the quartet, and the lyrics of the songs both in Latin and in translation - all repeated in English, German, and French sections.

-- Anonymous 4 --
Contrary to the implication of their name, the Anonymous 4 are not anonymous. This is a vocal quartet made up of Ruth Cunningham, Marsha Genensky, Susan Hellauer, and Johanna Rose at the time of this recording (Ruth Cunningham will later go on to a solo career early, and another member will join - Jacqueline Horner). They came together as a formal group in 1986, and have been ensemble-in-residence at St. Michael's Church in New York City, giving concert series in New York as well as throughout North America. They have been featured a number of times on national media in North America as well as Germany. They then went on to yet more success, eventually performing more that 1000 concerts worldwide.

Their specialty is working with chant, monophonic and polyphonic music, and working with medieval texts. According to one source, 'The group takes its name from an anonymous music theorist of the late 13th century, Anonymous IV, who is the principal source on the two famous composers of the Notre Dame school, Léonin and Pérotin.'

The group ended a touring career of nearly two decades in 2004.

Anonymous 4, has a way of getting deep down into your gut, and ripping out any shred of fear, spite, dismay, anger, anything negative you may have. They are a wonderous voice, that make sensuality a peak of unimaginable tastes that the mind can only begin to fathom. They make the soul become alive with love, and feelings that you thought only existed in fairytails. I reccommend them to anyone who has a sensual soul, or is a hopless romantic, or just always dreamed of having the feelnig of tranquility.

If you come home from work stressed out and no place to go,
try going to the CD player and trying this one, especially if you are spiritual, you will most surely will enjoy. The sounds that come from the the ladies are so remarkable and enchanting
( no pun there intended ) . I can only say I love music from rock to soul to R & B to Classical to New Age , right on down to country and this I would say is classical/Spiritual/Relaxation. Thank you ... for suggesting it to me. So I will "Play It Forward."

It seems pointless to add another 5-star review to the list, but I have to. This CD is simply one of the most beautiful recordings ever made, and it touches your soul with every listening. If you are content, it will bolster and reinforce your tranquil mind. If you are sad or depressed, it will force tears from your eyes and rip sobs from your breast, setting you on the healing path. If you are happy, it will make you prance about your flat like a gleeful child.
It is wonderful as background music, and yet engaging enough for attentive listening. If you don't own this CD, you should buy it today.

I agree wholeheartedly with each of the previous 5 reviews; and of the few Anonymous 4 CDs I have heard so far (thanks to my local library), "An English Ladymass" is my favorite. I particularly enjoy listening to it on a lazy Sunday afternoon while reading -- it's both extremely relaxing and intensely spiritual; and when I'm done, I feel absolutely amazing. This is a real gem!

A wonderful selection of hymns and a Mass sung by an extremely talented group. The plainchants and polyphonies are simple, yet exceptionally beautiful. My spirits and mind were truly transported to heaven.

The booklet that comes with the CD is very informative also.

The beauty of the album just goes beyond word. I highly believe that these are heavenly songs.