The Hilliard Ensemble - "Medieval English Music" (1983)

This is a record I play when I want to turn my home into a Catholic cathedral, which is not very often. The Hilliard Ensemble was an English male vocal quartet that focused on medieval songs, but which also did plenty of other stuff, with modern composers. They were considered one of the most skilled, if not the most skilled, within their genre, and were more or less an institution. The quartet was created in 1974 and called it a day in 2014. I found this record for a reasonable price in one of Montreal's record exchanges, and the reason I bought it was because I have one of Jan Garbarek's albums where the ensemble participates, with heavenly song. Thought this might be something similar, without the disturbing soprano saxophone. And I do like a lot of the medieval music I've heard before.

I don't know much about English medieval singing, though, in fact nothing, but you get a small folder with the album with some information, in a variety of languages. Fortunately, the previous owner had not thrown it away. Not that I've read the folder, but still. The folder also contains all lyrics, in different languages, including Latin. I haven't read these either. The record contains only vocals, no instruments, and of course it's very beautiful. Fine compositions, beautiful harmonies and singers who know what they're doing. I tried to improvise some singing with a song, but quickly realized that we were on different levels (me at a lower one). I assume that most of the songs have a religious theme, I have the idea that it used to be that way with this kind of music. However, everything is not sacred, slow songs, as the album mixes in some rather fast-paced songs. So there's some variation, although for the most part my home still feels like a church when the record spins.

A pretty nice album in many ways, a record I don't play that often, and when I do, it's more in the background to create a harmonious atmosphere, rather than me sitting and listening focused to it. Then I can probably get a bit bored.


Tracklist

Side A Anonymous Du XIVe Siècle
1. Alleluia: Hic Est Vere Martir 4:01
2. Singularis Laudis Digna 5:35
3. Doleo Super Te 1:32
4. Thomas Gemma Cantuarie 2:22
5. Civitas Nusquam Conditur 2:24
6. Tu Civium Primas 2:40
7. Mater Christi Nobilis 1:33
8. Ite Missa Est 1:29

Side B Anonymous Du XVe Siècle
1. Alleluia: A New Work 3:47
2. Anna Mater Matrix Christ 6:01
3. There Is No Rose 3:50
4. Marvel Not, Joseph 4:08
5. Tota Pulcra Es Amica Mea 8:17
6. Opotores Exquisiti 4:17