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1000: A Mass for the End of Time / Anonymous 4
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Binding: Audio CD
EAN: 0093046722425
Format: Import
Label: Harmonia Mundi Fr.
Manufacturer: Harmonia Mundi Fr.
MPN: 907224
Number Of Discs: 1
Publisher: Harmonia Mundi Fr.
Release Date: September 12, 2000
Studio: Harmonia Mundi Fr.
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Editorial Review:
Remember all of the year-2000 nervousness in the latter part of 1999? That was nothing. As the year 1000 approached, people all over the Christian world were convinced that the Apocalypse--as depicted in the biblical Book of Revelation--and the end of the world were at hand. In one of the more interesting musical program ideas to be inspired by the turn of the calendrical odometer, Anonymous 4 revisits the original "millennium madness" with a disc of chant from around the year 1000--specifically, a Mass for the Feast of the Ascension, one of the few occasions on which the liturgy included readings from the Book of Revelation. This is the oldest written Western music to have survived, and it's difficult even to decipher (the original notation has no staff lines or clear indications of rhythm), let alone perform. Yet, the challenges involved seem to have done these ladies good: not only is their performance both assured and confident, but one can hear new facets in their vocal sound--a sound that, however beautiful it might be, some listeners find monotonous. (One new facet is Jacqueline Horner, the quartet's newest member, for whom this is the first recording.) The singers experiment with interpretation of ornaments that are indicated in the manuscript sources (there's a fascinating little trill that sounds rather like a cooing dove); in some of the chants, they add an additional line in accordance with the principles of improvising polyphony that were laid out in 10th- and 11th-century treatises. The entire program seems thoroughly considered, as well as immaculately executed. If you count on the consistently pure, silky tone and meditative quality that has made Anonymous 4 world-famous, you'll definitely find it here; if you've gotten bored with them, you might find this disc a fascinating surprise. --Matthew Westphal
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating: - Flawless. Just flawless.
In the year 1000, medieval Europe was fraught with war, political intrigue, and despair. Furthermore, some sects believed that at the end of the millennium, judgment day would arrive. Things were very much the same in the year 2000. In this album, Anonymous 4 flawlessly performs music from the Ascension mass that would have been sung at the time- the mass which contains the most references to the end of days outside of Advent- as well as various apocolyptic music texts from the turn of the millennium. ... Read More
Rating: - Solemn, devout, fear inspiring!
These can pretty much sum up the emotions on this recording. As the title obviously shows, this mass was composed at the birth of the second millenium. People expected the world to end and Judgement Day approach, When one listens, one can actually feel the fearful anticipation in this music. A must have and a great job by Anonymous 4!
Rating: - Want to hear something spectacular?
For most folks, Gregorian Chants are probably a little off the beaten track. This is a stellar recording that's hard to beat, and the best of my Gregorian Chant collection. You won't be disappointed.
Rating:  - Lovely
A lovely performance of music from the beginning of the western musical tradition. The vocal quality of the performance is first rate and the music itself is very interesting. Recommended strongly.
Rating: - Perfectly lovely - wrong, but still perfectly lovely.
For those of you who - like me - have had a couple experiences with Gregorian Chant that moved you deeply - and now you need some Gregorian Chant for those moods when nothing else is right - this is it. "A Mass For The End Of Time" is beautiful, and rich, and the selections intense and moving. This is exactly what most people reading this are looking for. Furthermore the performers seem to have captured the spirit of the music - which is critical because this is spiritual music. So ... Read More
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