SongS to the Virgin
A Medieval Meditation
'Magnificat' — Songs to the Virgin, Track 2
“...a richly beautiful tapestry of sound that deserves wide distribution.”
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"Songs to the Virgin: A Medieval Meditation" is an elegant mixture of chant — both ethereal and soaring — and polyphony — both gentle and joyous — celebrating medieval Christianity's most cherished feminine ideal. All a cappella, without instruments, Voxfire accompanies itself in this mellifluous music.
ARTISTS
Samela Aird Beasom — voice
Christen Herman — voice
Susan Judy — voice
ALBUM CREDITS
Recorded on June 16 and 17, 2001 Bridges Auditorium, Pomona College, Claremont, CA
Engineer: Fred Vogler
Production Adviser: Edward Cansino
Design: Dana Hursey
Cover Photographs: Joseph Spencer
Voxfire Photograph: Alexandra Palko
Tracks
1. Ecce virgo concipiet 0:55 — Gregorian chant, Liber Usualis
2. Magnificat 5:35 — Byzantine canticle, Anonymous
3. O virgo splendens 4:28 — Chant / round, Llibre Vermell
4. Alleluia 1 0:30 — Gregorian chant, Liber Usualis
5. Ave generosa 4:48 — Hildegard of Bingen
6. Alleluia 2 0:18 — Gregorian chant, Liber Usualis
7. Ex semine 0:48 — Perotin, Las Huelgas Codex
8. Alleluia 3 0:14 — Gregorian chant, Liber Usualis
9. Beata viscera 1:18 — Worcester MS Fragment
10. Salve Regina 2:58 — Marian antiphon
11. Ave, mater summi nati 5:04 — Anonymous
12. Ave regina coelorum 1:48 — Marian antiphon
13. Ave regina celorum 1:00 — Las Huelgas Codex
14. Alma redemptoris mater 1:40 — Marian antiphon
15. Alma redemptoris mater 4:38 — John Dunstable
16. Alleluia 4 0:14 — Gregorian chant, Liber Usualis
17. Stabat mater dolorosa 6:35 — Chant / sequence
18. Bell Alleluia 0:35 — Gregorian chant adaptation
19. Regina caeli laetare 1:57 — Marian antiphon
20. Ave stella matutina 3:22 — Anonymous
21. O quam mirabilis 2:45 — Hildegard of Bingen
22. Alleluyia psallat 1:18 — Worcester MS
23. O pastor animarum 1:27 — Hildegard of Bingen
CD REVIEWS
"...THE FIRST CD FROM VOXFIRE...”
“...Samela Aird Beasom, Christen Herman and Susan Judy...features the three, night-beaming sopranos in the repertoire that has won them acclaim for their unique musical ecstasy. Using in many cases their own editions, and singing mostly unaccompanied, the singers of Voxfire have as their goal, "a balance between likely musical practices from the Middles Ages and sounds that bring some of the mystery of that era to modern ears." Not only have they brilliantly succeeded, they have produced a richly beautiful tapestry of sound that deserves wide distribution."
- Laurence Vittes, Southern California Early Music News
"...BEST HEARD IN THE WITCHING HOURS OF THE NIGHT..."
"There is a special feeling that permeates the senses while listening to this Voxfire compilation of Gregorian chants, canticles and hymns set to music. You float away on wings of sound that fill the soul and the spirit. All activity ceases, all thoughts are halted, the spikes of stress are flattened and smoothed out. It is not a soporific - you do not nod off - but you do feel the gentle force of a great power wash over you and you let yourself be taken away on these calming sounds. The voices comprising Voxfire are spiritual without denomination, transcendental in their astonishing vocal blend. These are the ethereal Samela Aird Beasom, Christen Herman and Susan Judy.... Befitting the beauty of the music of Hildegard of Bingen, Voxfire brings the sound and time of forever. There is no text of greater poetic power and beauty than that which forms the heart of this music. In their very quiet, unearthly way, Voxfire truly lifts the spirit."
- Dorian, Beverly Hills Outlook, 2002
NOTES FROM THE CD
The music presented on this recording seems to reflect the very essence of the mystical quality of the Middle Ages, where boundaries between the mundane and the celestial quite often are blurred, and poet's texts flow freely from concrete description to ecstatic metaphor.
Likewise fitting seems to be a theme that concerns the Virgin, probably the most fervently adored subject of medieval Europe, whose story could be the very definition of the word "mystical."
Perhaps no one from the time can flow between planes of existence as effortlessly as does the great Hildegard of Bingen - the early 12th-century mystic, abbess, diplomat, poet, natural historian, composer and visionary - writer of some of the most beautiful hymns and sequences from the Middle Ages. Most remarkable is her impassioned, sensual poetry and distinctively beautiful melodic lines, such as the upwardly sweeping fifths in 'Ave generosa' and 'O pastor animarum'.
The Gregorian chants on this recording include a number of short, liturgical Alleluias from the Liber Usualis, as well as the four "Marian" antiphons, in honor of the Virgin, composed circa the 10th century and chanted in the Office services of the early Roman Catholic Church.
Settings of these popular texts from later centuries are represented here, as well: 'Alma redemptoris mater' by John Dunstable (c. 1370-1453) is a beautiful example of early English writing; and 'Ave regina celorum/Alma redemptoris mater', from the late 13th to 14th century Las Huelgas Codex, is a double motet or polyphonic piece with two different simultaneous texts.
Also from Las Huelgas is another double motet on Marian themes, 'Ex semine rosa prodit spine/Ex semine Abrahe divino', attributed to Perotin (c. 1160-1220), who was called the greatest composer of "discant," the practice of writing parts against an existing plainsong (chant melody).
'Magnificat', one of the most important of the ancient Byzantine canticles, is still used today in Roman Catholic liturgy. Its Biblical text, Mary's reaction to Angel Gabriel's profound message, is a perennial favorite for composers of church music.
Because knowledge of medieval music and its performance is incomplete, modern-day interpreters have many options and decisions to make. Most obvious here is Voxfire's upward transposition of this mainly men's music to fit treble voices.
Vocal droning has been added to chants such as 'Salve regina', 'Ave generosa', and 'O quam mirabilis'; and organum, or the adding of parts a fourth or fifth above or below the original melody, is also used.
In another Voxfire arrangement, for 'Stabat Mater dolorosa', the famous lament of the Mother over her Son on the cross, verses alternate between Gregorian chant and 13th century two-voice writing.
For all of these interpretations, a balance is sought between what are thought to be likely practices from the Middle Ages and what creates the sound that will bring some of the mystery of that era to our modern ears.
TRANSLATIONS
1. Ecce virgo concipiet
Behold, a Virgin shall conceive and bear a Son;
and his name shall be called Emmanuel.
2. Magnificat
My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit
doth rejoice in God my Savior;
For he hath regarded the lowliness of his
handmaiden; for, behold, henceforth shall
all generations call me blessed;
For he who is mighty hath done great things
for me, and holy is his name;
And his mercy is from generation to
generation on those who fear him.
He hath shown might with his arm,
he hath scattered the proud
in the imagination of their hearts.
He hath put down the mighty from their seat,
and hath exalted the humble and meek.
He hath filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he hath sent empty away.
He hath holpen his servant Israel, mindful
of his mercy. Even as he spoke to our forefathers –
Abraham, and to his seed forever.
3. O virgo splendens
O Virgin resplendent on this lofty peak
glowing with splendid miracles,
whither the faithful of all lands ascend.
Ah, with the gentle eye of kindness
behold those caught in the bonds of sin;
let them not endure infernal blows, but through
your intercession admit them among the blessed.
4. Alleluia 1
5. Ave generosa
Hail, noble young lady,
shimmering and pure;
you, the very eye of chastity,
you, essence of sanctity,
who were pleasing to God!
For the celestial infusion
was poured into you,
in that the heavenly word
became incarnate in you.
You, dazzling lily,
whom God knew before all
his other creatures.
O most beautiful and beloved;
how greatly God delighted in you!
with His fiery embrace
He implanted in you so that His Son
might be suckled by you.
Thus your womb held joy,
while all the celestial harmony
resounded for you,
because, virgin, you bore
the Son of God,
whence your chastity blazed in God.
Your womb knew delight,
like the grass which dew has touched
and drenched with its freshness;
so was this done in you,
O mother of all joy.
Now let all the Congregration
glow with joy
and resonate with music
for the sweetest virgin
and most praiseworthy Mary
mother of God. Amen.
6. Alleluia 2
7. Ex semine
From the seed of Abraham, by divine direction,
in the holy fire of your will, you bring forth, O Lord,
the salvation of humanity from stark poverty,
by the birth of a virgin from the tribe of Judah.
Now you set forth an egg for a new birth,
you will give the fish and the bread
by this birth without seed.
From the seed of a thorn, a rose springs up;
fruit of the olive is plucked from the olive tree;
A virgin is born from a descendant of Judea;
The ray of the morning star shine forth
from the cloud’s darkness;
the sun from the star’s ray;
A stone flows with honey.
the flower of a maid gives birth to the Word
without a seed.
8. Alleluia 3
9. Beata viscera
Blessed is the womb of the Virgin Mary,
who bore the fruit of eternal truth
with the cup of life because of her sweetness.
10. Salve Regina
Hail, Queen, Mother of mercy,
Our life, sweetness and hope, hail.
To thee do we cry, banished children of Eve,
To thee do we sigh, lament and wail
In this vale of tears..
O, then, our advocate,
Turn thine merciful eyes toward us;
And after this exile,
Reveal to us
The blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus,
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.
11. Ave, mater summi nati
Hail, Mother of the son most high
Hail, solace of the desolate,
Maria, hope of sinners,
Giver of life, light of the way.
Hail, sweet consoler,
Reviver of the sinner,
Because she loves us all
Beseeches, atones, reforms
Our wavering nature,
Through you, loving Mother,
The fruits of holiness are instilled,
From His Father’s bosom,
So that your first feeding
Would satisfy his people
And would give them all comfort
Through the sweet assistance,
Of His holy Mother.
Therefore, mercy and kindness,
Is to be our consolation
In whatever distress,
Pain and sadness,
For in your good faith
Our hope is confirmed.
12. Ave regina coelorum
13. Ave regina celorum
Hail, Queen of Heaven.
Hail lady of the angels,
save us, O holy foundation,
from whom the light of the world has arisen:
Rejoice, glorious one,
splendid over all things,
prevail, most gracefully
and intercede with Christ always for us.
14. Alma redemptoris mater
15. Alma redemptoris mater
Fostering Mother of the Redeemer,
Who art the open door to heaven
And star of the sea,
Come to the aid of the falling people
Who strive to rise again.
Thou who gave birth
To the wonder of Nature,
To thy holy Creator,
Virgin before and after,
Receiving from the mouth of Gabriel
That “Ave,”
Have mercy on us sinners.
16. Alleluia
17. Stabat mater dolorosa
There stood the Mother grieving
Beside the cross weeping,
While on it hung her Son.
Whose saddened soul,
Sighing and suffering,
A sword pierced through.
O how sad and how afflicted
Was that Mother
Of the Only-begotten!
Loving Mother, who saw grieving and suffering,
While she beheld the torments
Of her glorious Son.
Who is the man who would not weep
If he should behold the Mother of Christ
Suffering with her only Son?
Who could not be saddened
If he should behold the Mother of Christ
Suffering with her only Son?
For the sins of his people,
She saw Jesus in torments
And subjected to stripes.
She saw her own sweet Son,
Whose dying caused desolation,
While he yielded up his Spirit.
Oh Mother, fount of love,
Make me feel the force of your grief,
So that I may mourn with you.
Grant that my heart may burn
In loving Christ my God,
So that I may be pleasing to him.
Holy Mother, may you do this:
Fix the stripes of the Crucified
Deeply into my heart.
Share with me the pains
Of your wounded Son
Who deigned to suffer so much for me.
Make me lovingly weep with you,
To suffer with the Crucified
Song long as I shall live.
To stand with you beside the cross,
And to join with you in deep lament:
This I long for and desire.
O Virgin all virgins excelling,
Be not inclement with me now;
Cause me to mourn with you.
Grant that I may bear the death of Christ;
Make me a sharer in His Passion
And ever mindful of his wounds.
Let me be wounded by His wounds,
Cause me to be inebriated by the Cross
And the Blood of your Son.
Lest I burn in flames enkindled,
May I, through thee, O Virgin,
Be defended on Judgement Day.
O Christ, when from here I must depart,
Grant that, through your Mother,
I may obtain the pain of victory.
When my body perishes,
Grant that my soul be given
the glory of Paradise.
18. Bell Alleluia
19. Regina caeli laetare
Queen of Heaven, rejoice, alleluia.
For He whom you did merit to bear, alleluia.
Has risen, as he said, alleluia.
Pray for us to God, alleluia.
20. Ave stella matutina
Hail! Star of the morning, lily of purity
beaming in the crystalline wonder of moderation
Mother of the King and beloved Queen of Heaven
Lead us from destruction with the gift of your grace.
From you, Maria, the light shines in words of pure truth,
In you then appears wisdom before the radiance of the deity.
Walking the life, the law and the way of the virgin chaste,
For the world, you alone lead the way to the holy Love of salvation.
This sequestering by the Creator supports us
Refreshing the cloister of the unfailing brilliance of the spirit’s sweetness.
Fragrant rose, vessel of fragrance, you can hasten in easing
The weight of our belittling idleness with the joy of laboring.
The glowing throne of Solomon in the stars
Illuminates our withering sins in the fleecy fountain of Gideon.
Scented bush of wondrous vision, hasten to succor
The lowly in giving hope by your inviolate birth.
Ah, sweet advocate, tutor and refuge,
By the Creator rightly was not violated for the sake of the prize.
And, through you, are we open to the somber mystery,
the kingdom whose throne welcomes us as citizens of heaven.
21. O quam mirabilis
O how miraculous is the perception
of the Divine Understanding,
that He knows all creation.
For with Jesus He examines
the doings of man, whom He has made,
likewise He beholds all His works
made whole in the form of man.
O how miraculous is the inspiration,
that mankind thus is elevated.
22. Alleluyia psallat
Alleluia sings this congregation.
Alleluia to the drum and alleluia
sing the joyful of heaven in harmony.
Alleluia sing praise and honor to God.
Alleluia.
23. O pastor Animarum
O shepherd of souls
and O primal voice
by which all was created
now as it pleases
and deigns you
free us from our miseries
and weaknesses.
Songs to the Virgin Album NOTES pdf
