Words of the Angel

Trio Mediaeval (Artist), Ivan Moody (Artist), Anonymous (Artist), Gregorian Chant (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 29, 2002)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Ecm Records
• ASIN: B00005I451
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #12,410 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  Music > Classical > Historical Periods > Early Music > Vocal & Song

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
The 14th century "Tournai" Mass, consisting of a Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Agnus Dei, and Ite missa est, is the first known complete polyphonic mass to come down to us. Its sections were probably written by different composers, and it's a stunning, fascinating look into early polyphony. This performance is combined with other pieces from the same period, as well as a five-minute piece by contemporary composer Ivan Moody, which--though clearly from six centuries later--blends to make this a gorgeous whole. If you like Anonymous 4, you're in for a real treat here. The three Scandinavian women who make up Trio Mediaeval have astonishingly beautiful voices, with individual timbres that nonetheless mingle seamlessly, whether in simple, chantlike moments or in the high-flying Moody piece. And they sing with feeling, depth, and, well, soul. This is a magnificent disc, not to be missed. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hauntingly Beautiful, May 17, 2003

By	Sally Atman (Redondo Beach, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

42 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gregorian Chant - not just for monks any more, May 28, 2002

By	Bradford Daniels (Redmond, WA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This CD was not exactly what I expected, but the fault is mine, not the CD's. I saw that there were a number of Gregorian chants, but was expecting there to also be some songs with harmonies and rhythms more consistent with secular medieval music. There was really very little of that (a few tracks were more musical and less chant-y, but still unmistakably "church music"), but the music was everything you could hope for in a recording of Gregorian chants.

Beautiful female voices add a different dimension to the music than the more widely-recorded monastic renditions of these chants. The music is very atmospheric, and evoked memories of the quiet stillness of European cathedrals (specifically Reims, in my case, probably because that's the most impressive cathedral I've ever been in). It was definitely recorded in a cathedral-like space, though. The acoustics practically scream of high stone ceilings.

This one is definitely worth a listen.

39 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Out of this world!, March 5, 2002

By	William M. Hinds "math guy" (Kerrville, TX) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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!