Record Reviews

SINFONYE ~ AURORA CELESTIAL HARMONIES 13128 (Barcode: 013711312829) ~ UK ~ Classical Recorded: 1997 Released: 1999 This is the 2nd volume of the complete works by XII Century composer Hildegard von BingenFind albums by this artist, recorded by the British vocal octet SinfonyeFind albums by this artist, formed in 1986 and directed by Stevie WishartFind albums by this artist. The album presents fifteen tracks, with are songs with lyrics in Latin, performed mostly a cappella, with subtle accompaniment by Wishart on hurdy-gurdy. Some of the songs are performed solo by one of the octet’s vocalists and others are performed by the entire ensemble. The album was recorded in the Toddington Church in Gloucestershire, England. The mystical figure of Hildegard von Bingen (Hildegard of Bingen), a XII Century German Benedictine abbess, philosopher, poet, composer, visionary, mystic and medic, was undoubtedly one of the most impressive European women of the Middle Ages, and her contribution to music was truly momentous. I often return to her music, with I treat with an attitude completely unrelated to its religious significance, simply in search of the heavenly harmony it offers, as solace in moments of desolation. The performances are absolutely sublime, carefully arranged and balanced, recorded in the perfect natural echo-chamber of the Church, exactly as this music was meant to be originally performed. The effect is striking and penetrates deeply inside the listener’s heart / soul / mind… In retrospect perhaps we have learned nothing in the (almost) Millennium, that separates us from the age in which this music was created, as it has so much more to say than almost everything we can hear around us today. The human voice is, after all, the ultimate instrument.

Updated: 05/10/2024Posted: 05/10/2024

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

SINFONYE ~ O NOBILISSIMA VIRIDITAS CELESTIAL HARMONIES 13129 (Barcode: 013711312928) ~ UK ~ Classical Recorded: 2004 Released: 2004 This is the 3rd volume of the complete works by XII Century composer Hildegard von BingenFind albums by this artist, recorded by the British vocal octet SinfonyeFind albums by this artist, formed in 1986 and directed by Stevie WishartFind albums by this artist. The album presents fifteen tracks, with are songs with lyrics in Latin, performed mostly a cappella, with subtle accompaniment by Wishart on hurdy-gurdy and Richard VendomeFind albums by this artist on portative organ. Some of the songs are performed solo by one of the octet’s vocalists and others are performed by the entire ensemble. The album was recorded in the Church of the Douai Abbey in Berkshire, England. The mystical figure of Hildegard von Bingen (Hildegard of Bingen), a XII Century German Benedictine abbess, philosopher, poet, composer, visionary, mystic and medic, was undoubtedly one of the most impressive European women of the Middle Ages, and her contribution to music was truly momentous. I often return to her music, with I treat with an attitude completely unrelated to its religious significance, simply in search of the heavenly harmony it offers, as solace in moments of desolation. The performances are absolutely sublime, carefully arranged and balanced, recorded in the perfect natural echo-chamber of the Church, exactly as this music was meant to be originally performed. The effect is striking and penetrates deeply inside the listener’s heart / soul / mind… In retrospect perhaps we have learned nothing in the (almost) Millennium, that separates us from the age in which this music was created, as it has so much more to say than almost everything we can hear around us today. The human voice is, after all, the ultimate instrument.

Updated: 25/09/2024Posted: 28/08/2024

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

SINFONYE ~ SYMPHONY OF THE HARMONY OF CELESTIAL REVELATIONS CELESTIAL HARMONIES 13127 (Barcode: 013711312720) ~ UK ~ Classical Recorded: 1995 Released: 1996 This is the 1st volume of the complete works by XII Century composer Hildegard von BingenFind albums by this artist, recorded by the British vocal octet SinfonyeFind albums by this artist, formed in 1986 and directed by Stevie WishartFind albums by this artist. The album presents fourteen tracks, with are songs with lyrics in Latin, performed mostly a cappella, with subtle accompaniment by Wishart on hurdy-gurdy. Some of the songs are performed solo by one of the octet’s vocalists and others are performed by the entire ensemble. The album was recorded in the Toddington Church in Gloucestershire, England. The mystical figure of Hildegard von Bingen (Hildegard of Bingen), a XII Century German Benedictine abbess, philosopher, poet, composer, visionary, mystic and medic, was undoubtedly one of the most impressive European women of the Middle Ages, and her contribution to music was truly momentous. I often return to her music, with I treat with an attitude completely unrelated to its religious significance, simply in search of the heavenly harmony it offers, as solace in moments of desolation. The performances are absolutely sublime, carefully arranged and balanced, recorded in the perfect natural echo-chamber of the Church, exactly as this music was meant to be originally performed. The effect is striking and penetrates deeply inside the listener’s heart / soul / mind… In retrospect perhaps we have learned nothing in the (almost) Millennium, that separates us from the age in which this music was created, as it has so much more to say than almost everything we can hear around us today. The human voice is, after all, the ultimate instrument.

Updated: 25/09/2024Posted: 25/09/2024

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend