Title: Rose in Winter
Artist: Angelicawomen's Chamber Choir
Label: CD Baby
Product Type: COMPACT DISCS
UPC: 887516160561
Genre: Classical Artists

Altissima luce The Laudario di Cortona is a collection of 13th-century religious songs discovered in the archives of the Museum of the Etruscan Academy in 1876. Although some 200 such 'song books' have survived, only two-the Laudario di Cortona, and the Magliabechiano Codex in the Italian National Library in Florence-contain both the text and the music. These popular laudes, or "praises," to the Virgin Mary, the Saints, and Christ's life were written in the vernacular tongue (here, in Italian rather than the Church's Latin) by lay communities in the 12th and 13th centuries. Almost all of the compositions are anonymous, and melodies are often borrowed from secular songs. Altissima luce Most exalted light di grande splendore, shining with great glory, in Voi, dolce amore, in You, sweet love, agiam consolanza. Is our consolation. Ave, regina pulzella amorosa, Hail, queen and maiden full of love, stella marina the star of the sea che mai stai nascosa, which does not stay hidden, luce divina virtù graziosa, divine light, gracious virtue, bellezza formosa, exquisite beauty, di Dio sei sembianza. You are the image of God. Ave Maria di grazia piena, Hail, Mary, full of grace, Tu sei la via che'a vita ci mena, you are the way which leads us to life; di tenebria traesti di pena, the early race, which was in great peril, la gente terrena you have rescued us ch'è in grande speranza. From darkness and punishment. Translation: Gavin Bryars, Laude Cortonese Nouvelles, nouvelles "Nouvelles, nouvelles" was first published in Noëls and Chansons (Carols and Songs) by M. Nicolas Martin (1556). The collection contains many carols composed by Martin, who had a passion for telling the story of the Nativity. This piece reflects his simple style, conserving the charm of traditional popular carols while keeping the essential Catholic doctrine intact. Nouvelles, nouvelles, News, news, au noël nouveau, for Christmastime! Les vignes sont belles The vineyards are fair et tous les bledz beaux. And the corn is green. Pastoureaux en veilles Shepherds at night avec leurs troupeaux, with their flocks, Les vignes sont belles (the vineyards are fair et tous les bledz beau, and the corn is green) Ouyrent nouvelles t hey heard news et propos moraulx. And good counsels. Ont veu extincelles They saw reluysans flambeaux. Shining torches. Les vignes sont belles ( the vineyards are fair et tous les bledz beaux and the corn is green) Ouyrent nouvelles T hey heard news et propos moraulx. And good counsels. Ouyrent nouvelles They heard news et propos moraulx. And good counsels. Les vignes sont belles (the vineyards are fair et tous les bledz beaux and the corn is green) Gloires eternelles and "glory to God" a dieu aux cieulx haulz. In the high heavens. Gloires eternelles "Glory to God" a dieu aux cieulx haulz. In the high heavens." Les vignes sont belles (the vineyards are fair et tous les bledz beaux and the corn is green) Et paix sans querelles "and peace on earth aux bons et loyaulx. To men of good will." Laude novella This is another devotional song (No. 2) from the Laudario di Cortona. Laude novella sia cantata, Let a new song of praise be sung all'alta Donna encoronata. To the Lady crowned on high. O dolce pia Verginella, O sweet Virgin maid, primo fior, rosa novella; first flower, new rose; tuto il mondo a Te s'appella, all the world appeals to thee, per la pace ogn'or sognata. For the peace everyone dreams of. Tu sei la gemma, Tu sei fiore, You are the gem, You are the flower, Tu sei fonte di splendore You are the source of splendor voluntà teniamo in core, gladly we hold in our heart, di venire a Te beata. Of coming to you, Blessed Mother Tu sei rosa, Tu sei gillio, You are the rose, You are the lily, Tu portasti el dolce fillio. You carried your sweet son, Pero dona si m'enpillio, Madonna, if you hold me, de laudare te, honorata. I will sing praises in your honor. Nulla lingua pò contare No words can tell us come tu se' da laudare: how worthy you are of praise: Lo tuo nome fa tremare, Your name makes Satan tremble, Sathanas a mille fiata. To thousands it speaks. Laude novella... Let a new song... Translation: Marie Caruso Angelus ad virginem English poet Geoffrey Chaucer mentions this hymn in his 'Miller's Tale' (from The Canterbury Tales) written in the 1380s. He describes one character, Nicholas, as owning a splendid psaltery, "on which he made nightly melody, so sweetly that all the chamber rang, and Angelus ad Virginem he sang." The text is based on the Biblical account of the Annunciation in the New Testament, in which the angel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary (Luke 1:28). Angelica's version is based on an arrangement by John A. Parkinson. Angelus ad Virginem When the angel came secretly sub intrans in conclave, to the Virgin in her room, Virginis formidinem soothing her fear, demulcens, inquit: "Ave! He said: "Hail! Ave Regina virginum; Hail, Queen of virgins; Coeli terraeque Dominum the Lord of heaven and earth Concipies you shall conceive et paries and bear intacta while yet untouched by man; Salutem hominum; Salvation for mankind; Tu porta coeli facta, You have become the gate of heaven, Medela criminum." a remedy for sins." "Quomodo conciperem "How can I conceive, quae virum non cognovi? since I have not known a man? Qualiter infringerem How can I break the vow quod firma mente vovi?" I made with firm intent? " "Spiritus Sancti gratia " The grace of the Holy Spirit perficiet haec omnia; shall bring all this to pass; ne timeas, fear not, sed gaudeas, but rejoice, secura secure that quod castimonia in the knowledge manebit in te pura that pure chastity shall remain yours Dei potentia." through God's mighty power." Ad haec Virgo nobilis To this the noble Virgin Respondens inquit ei: replied, saying: "Ancilla sum humilis "I am the lowly handmaiden cont'd... Omnipotentis Dei. of Almighty God. Tibi coelesti nuntio, I say to you, heavenly messenger Tanti secreti conscio, of such a secret, consentiens, et cupiens knowing and longing videre to see performed factum quod audio: what I now hear: Parata sum parere, I am ready to yield myself Dei consilio." to God's design." Eia mater Domini, Ah, mother of the Lord, quae pacem reddidisti who returned peace angelis et homini, to angels and mankind cum Christum genuisti: when you bore Christ, tuum exora filium beg of your Son ut se nobis propitium that he may show himself exhibeat, et deleat favorable to us and wipe away peccata: our sins: graestans auxilium granting us aid vita frui beata to enjoy a blessed life post hoc exsilium. After this exile. Edi beo thu hevene quene The 12th and 13th centuries saw an extraordinary growth in the cult of the Virgin Mary in western Europe. It was also the age of chivalry. Influenced by both concepts, this poet wrote a religious love poem. He borrowed numerous phrases (as well as metrical form) from Latin hymns, blending traditions of that religious genre with conventions from secular French poetry, such as ending each stanza in a kind of refrain and declaring himself Mary's knight. Edi beo thu, hevene quene, Blessed be you, heaven's queen, folkes froure and engles blis, men's comfort and angels' bliss, moder unwemmed and maiden clene, mother unblemished and maiden clean, swich in world non other nis. Such in world no other is. On thee hit is wel eth sene, In you it is easily seen of all wimmen thu havest thet pris. Of all women you have the prize. Mi swete levedi, her mi bene My sweet lady, hear my prayer and reu of me yif thi wille is. and have pity on me if it is thy will. Thu asteghe so the daigh rewe You ascend like the ray of dawn the deleth from the deorke nicht, That separates the dark night; of the sprong a leome newe Of thee sprang a new light that al this world haveth ilight. That has lit all this world. Nis non maide of thine heowe, There is no maid of thy complexion,* swo fair, so schene, so rudi, swo bricht. So fair, so beautiful, so fair, so beautiful, Swete levedi, of me thu reowe Sw

Tracks:
1.1 Altissima Luce
1.2 Nouvelles, Nouvelles
1.3 Laude Novella
1.4 Angelus Ad Virginem
1.5 Edi Beo Thu Hevene Queen
1.6 Nowell, Nowell: Tidings True
1.7 Ave Maria
1.8 Song of the Nuns of Chester
1.9 Nova, Nova!
1.10 The Lamb
1.11 Maria Durch Ein' Dornwald Ging / Dove Vai Matre Maria
1.12 Snow
1.13 I Saw Three Ships
1.14 There Is No Rose of Swych Vertu
1.15 Le Sommeil de L'enfant Jesus
1.16 Deck the Halls (In 7/8)
1.17 Ave Maria

Audio Sample:
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