Die Gesänge der Zisterzienser
CHR 77481 (Christophorus, CD, 3 discs)
FIRST RELEASE (11 October 2024)
Playing time: 47'54"/61'25"/ 57'45" - TT 167'4"
Tracks: 9 + 21 + 17
Booklet pages: 24
℗ 2024 Note 1 Music GmbH
© 2024 Note 1 Music GmbH
Main country of recording: Germany
Reviewer: Gerald Fenech
Review of Die Gesänge der Zisterzienser published on 27 November 2024
Heinrich-Isaac-Ensemble (CD1)
Hans-Georg Renner, director (CD1)
ensemble officium (CD2)
Wilfried Rombach, director (CD2)
Per-Sonat (CD3)
Sabine Lutzenberger, director (CD3)
CD1
Ad Vespera - For the First Vespers at the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
CD2
Bernard de Clairvaux - Father of the Cistercian Order
CD3
Invisible
From a secluded place: Chants of the Cistercian nuns
The renunciation of the wealth and splendour of the Benedictine order led to the founding of the Cistercians in 1098. The idea of the poverty and modesty of the new order quickly spread throughout Europe and led to the founding of many monasteries. The Cistercian reform not only affected the way of life of the monks and nuns, the retreat to remote places and a new simple architecture, the liturgy and music were also freed from 'unnecessary ornamentation'. To this day, the songs of the Cistercians radiate a contemplative, meditative simplicity. This three CD box brings together three very different recordings of this music: CD1 presents a complete vespers from the monks' Liturgy of the Hours, with the chants for the feast of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary. CD2 is dedicated to St Bernard of Clairvaux, the great father of the Cistercian order. CD3 presents the chants of the Cistercian nuns, who (unlike their male brothers) spent their lives in complete seclusion behind the monastery walls. Their songs were audible to outsiders in the churches, but the female singers sang in the choir room, which was separated from the church, and were not visible to the outside world.