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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Not Enigma! Recommended!!, January 5, 2002
This review is from: Hildegard Von Bingen (Audio CD)
This is a very listenable adaptation of the chant attributed to Hildegard of Bingen, a Christian mystic who lived mainly in the 12th century. Her connection to God manifests itself in the intimate wedding of the text with the complicated plainsong chant. This also may be one of the more accessible recordings for
modern listeners, since not only do Gamarna sing with some
instruments (from later periods) but have a backup reminiscent
of . . . Enigma. You know, guitars, drum beats, etc. I find
this recording to be a lot more listenable than Engima, though.
Whereas Enigma revels in irreverence, Gamarna seems to have a
great respect for the material. As far as the Latin pronunciation goes (mentioned in another
review), I have to point out that this is not classical Latin
but rather medieval Latin. We actually *do* have a good idea
of the standard classical pronunciations. The other reviewer
defends Gamarna's evident Swedish accent. I also find it
pleasant, since their vowels are nice and pure. However, from
an historic standpoint, it might have been more appropriate to
sing these canticles with the "German" pronunciation (fecit=
"feh-TSEET") rather than the "Italian" Latin (fecit= "feh-CHEET")
. . . I think it might be more appropriate for 12th century
Bingen, and migh have jibed better with their accents. But still,
if you would like and introduction to v. Bingen's music, and
don't mind modernized arrangements, this is your recording!
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
a very different garmarna, September 7, 2001
By A Customer
This review is from: Hildegard Von Bingen (Audio CD)
I love Garmarna. I got the chance to see them last fall at the World Financial Center, where they previewed songs from this album. At that time they played the songs in a more traditional Garmarna way, without the trippy elements that are on this album. My overall feeling after listening to the whole cd is that I like it, even though it is a bit of a departure from their previous work. Certain songs work better than others such as Euchari, Unde Quocompque, and Virga Ac Diadema which are fantastic. Emma's voice is beautiful as usual. The only complaint that I could make is that I was kind of hoping to hear a more Swedish version of Hildegard. I was longing to hear more violin and hurdy-gurdy. Still, Garmarna are far superior to 99% of the bands out there so I happy to hear anything from them.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Innovative techno tracks and Scandinavian Latin, December 20, 2001
This review is from: Hildegard Von Bingen (Audio CD)
I have had this CD for about half a year now (caught the Swedish release) and it's been a constant favorite along with the other Garmarna albums. Definitely, this album is more "techno" than the previous ones. Emma's vocals soar high above and, though some have commented on her Latin intonation, this is exactly how I imagine it must have sounded in many a Scandinavian nunnery (minus techno track, and fiddles etc) in mediaeval days. Remember that nobody knows exactly how the Romans pronounced their Latin and that the intonation of every Latin speaker is heavily colored by their native language. So, in my mind, a Swedish accent rather adds to the authenticity in this case! The techno tracks are innovative and fresh - I listen to this CD for hours on end.
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