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GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE FEBRUARY 24, 1995

EVENINGS OUT

900-year-old chants make short work of ecstasy

Canticles of Ecstasy

Sequentia

BMG Classics

Reviewed by Tamara Murphy

Canticles of ecstasy

Fangen

With the advent of Enigma, even the least musically literate among us have been introduced Gregorian chant, if only in a dance club

to

or the bedroom of a somewhat sacrilegious lover. However, Greg (that is, Pope Gregory

VI) wasn't the only musical monastic lighting up the Dark Ages. In 1098, some 400 years following Gregory's compilation of ecclesiastical chant, Hildegard von Bingen was born, thus beginning a legacy of medieval musical heritage that expanded the boundaries of sacred chant.

Formally professed a Benedictine nun at the age of fourteen, Hildegard went on to become the abbess of a cloister of women in Rupertsberg. Through the course of her life, she was recognized for her contributions to philosophy, politics, theology and literature. Now the early music ensemble Sequentia has undertaken the task of introducing her compositional talents to the world at large.

The recent release of their CD Canticles of Ecstasy is an important step in their ongoing commitment to producing the complete cycle

of Hildegard's works. It is a lush compilation of some of the works she referred to as "harmonic symphonies of heavenly revelation.”

While it does include some traditional chant patterns, the Canticles are primarily original compositions which step far beyond the confines of conventional liturgy. From the reverent prayer O Pastor animarum to the ecstatic masterpiece O viridissima virga, the pieces utilize a variety of modalities and techniques in its exploration of sacred themes.

Among the more unusual facets of Hildegard's music is the fact that it was written primarily for performance by her community of women. In fact, the text (Latin, of course, with English translations included) explores a multitude of deeply feminine images and themes, something virtually unheard of in the liturgical canon.

Sequentia's work on this CD is above reproach. This professional ensemble is very evidently performing a great labor of love. It was truly a joy to listen to women's voices raised to heights normally reserved for men alone.

The Hildegard von Bingen project should reach its culmination in 1998, in time for the 900th anniversary of her birth, and if each endeavor is as moving and beautiful as the Canticles, I suspect Hildegard will develop quite a following.

The pieces on Sequentia's Canticles CD are truly an auditory feast. Listening becomes a deeply moving and mystical experience. Then, too, it's also a wonderful way to explore those cloister fantasies. Who says good girls don't?

THE MOSTLY UNFAbulous SOCIAL LIFE OF ETHAN GREEN.

Cheap And Ugly acts of Valentines Day Defilement

host, ethan green. your

with your

SET AFIRE A PAIR OF YOUR EX boYFRIEND LEO'S JEANS THAT YOU'VE SNIVELANGLY CLUNG TO, LIBER ATING YOURSELF From THAT MEMORY OF HIM PULLING ON THIS SAME PAIR AFTer THE 2 OF YOU SKINNYDIPPE & While ON A CAMPING TRip..

GRind up a big bunch of IN A blender. SEND THE JUST IN AN UNMARked ENVELOPE TO LIZA & BETH. HOPE THEY OPEN IT ON THEIR NEW SUE&E SOFA. HE COULD JUST KILL ETHAN. BUT THAT WOULD BE WRONG.

(BUT NOT THAT WRONG)..

INDULGE YOUR PET'S MOST CAUSTIC AND BASELess ProNOUNCEMENTS About a MORE RECENT EX.

WELL I CERTAINLY DON'T KNOW WAY DOUG BOTHERS WITH ROGAINE. THAT STUFF ONLY WORKS ON MALE PATTERN BALDNESS, NOT RECEDING HAIRLINES...

I AGREE. HE'S DOOMED.

BY Enic OR mer

SPEND THE HOLIDAY IN SINGAPORE ACCUSING HappY-LOOKING YOUNG COUPLES OF TOSSING CHEWING GUM on THe SidEWALK.

€

JUCYFRUIT!

I'D SWEAR IT! THEY WERE HOLDING HANDS ALSO! ANOTHER CODE VIOLATION! GRACIOUS THIS SOCIETY'S OUT OF

DAMN! IT'S THAT BITTER QUEEN FROM

THE STATES.

CONTROL...

RUN

STALK THE ChildrEN OF HALLMARK ARTISTS. TELL THEM MALICIOUS STORIES ABOUT Their PARENTS. SO.. BETCHA DiaN'T KNOW YER MUMMY'S A COMMUNIST.

No SHE'S NOT. SHE'S A GREETING CARD DESIGNER... (HA! SO SHE TELLS YOU...

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