AUTHENTICITY AND BEAUTY Medieval chant and polyphony from Anonymous 4 harmonia mundi    HMU 907232

The astonishing success of four women singing plainsong has created yet another mystery in the annals of record sales. There is no gimmick or frantic sales promotion to get the records moving fast over retail counters. We must simply accept a phenomenon whereby the sheer beauty of sound in medieval chant has swept so many off their feet. But that in itself suggests a deeper response of those in an uneasy world searching for security and solace, and much comforted subconsciously in the otherworldly nature of chant. Power is felt in the immoveable nature of what is unchanging and spiritual. [Listen - track 24, 01:20 - 01:50.]

This particular record of legends surrounding the life and work of St Nicholas provides virtually all that has survived from 1200 to 1350. And some material has been newly set for this recording using formulas based on contemporary material. The background scholarship has been thorough, so Anonymous 4 sing to us with both authenticity and beauty.

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