Ensemble Gemma - 400 Years of Chant in the Birgittine Order - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Welcome into the Birgittine sisters' world of Gregorian chant! Also known as Frälsarorden, the Birgittine Order is the only one with Scandinavian origins. Saint Birgitta (ca 1303-1373) and her collaborator and confessor, Petrus Olavi of Skänninge, laid it's foundations in Rome, in the 1350s. Birgitta had moved there in 1349, and remained in that city for the rest of her life. After the first Birgittine abbey opened in Vadstena in 1384, the order rapidly spread across Europe. The chants on this recording are from the Birgittine Abbey, Maria Refugie in Uden, The Netherlands and this is the first time that chants from the rich collection in Maria Refugie have been recorded. It is also the first recording of the Birgittine repertoire from sources dating after the Middle Ages. The ensemble has selected 37 chants that reflect the musical and textual richness of Cantus sororum. The material spans more than 400 years, yet forms a coherent repertoire that belongs to the Gregorian chant tradition in all important aspects, with a Birgittine twist. Album Tracks 1. Trinum Deum 2. O Trinitatis 3. Maria Summe 4. Omnia Mandata 5. Regem Angelorum 6. Angeli, Archangeli 7. In Throno Deo 8. Angelorum Domina 9. Magnificetur Rex 10. Filium Dei 11. Benedictus Sis Tu 12. Omnem Potestatem 13. Victum Vitalem 14. Ortum Virginis 15. Solem Justicie 16. Nativitas Gloriose 17. Nativitatem Recolamus 18. Ave Maria 19. Congratulamini Filio Deo 20. O Admirabile Commercium 21. Benedicamus Devotis Mentibus 22. Germinavit Radix Jesse 23. Regem Virginis 24. Benedictum Sit Nomen 25. Spineo Serto 26. Tremor Terre 27. Annuntietur in Universa 28. In Honorem Virginis 29. Que Est Ista 30. Assumpta Est Maria 31. Que Est Ista 32. Maria Virgo Assumpta 33. Ad Coronam Leticie 34. Jam Letaris 35. O Quam Glorifica 36. Maria, Maria 37. Cum Ioc