Welcome into the Birgittine sisters' world of Gregorian chant! Also known as FrÃ¤lsarorden, the Birgittine Order is the only one with Scandinavian origins. Saint Birgitta (ca 1303-1373) and her collaborator and confessor, Petrus Olavi of SkÃ¤nninge, 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.

Tracklist:

Sunday: I. Invitatory - Trinum Deum
Sunday: II. Matins Hymn - O Trinitatis
Sunday: III. Third Matins Responsory: Maria Summe
Sunday: IV. Sext Antiphon - Omnia Mandata
Monday: I. Invitatory - Regem Angelorum
Monday: II. Lauds Antiphone - Angeli Archangeli
Monday: III. Lauds Hymn - In Throno Deo
Monday: IV. Responsorium Breve - Angelorum Domina
Monday: V. Magnificat Antiphone - Magnificetur Rex
Tuesday: I. Invitatory - Filium Dei
Tuesday: II. Benedictus Antiphon - Benedictus Sis Tu
Tuesday: III. Vespers Antiphon - Omnem Potestatem
Tuesday: IV. Compline Hymn - Victum Vitalem
Wednesday: I. Invitatory - Ortum Virginis
Wednesday: II. Third Matins Responsory - Solem Justicie
Wednesday: III. Lauds Antiphon - Nativitas Gloriose
Wednesday: IV. Prime Antiphon - Nativitatem Recolamus
Thursday: I. Invitatory - Ave Maria
Thursday: II. Matins Antiphon - Congratulamini Filio Deo
Thursday: III. Lauds Antiphon - O Admirabile Commercium
Thursday: IV. Benedicamus Devotis Mentibus
Thursday: V. Sext Antiphon - Germinavit Radix Jesse
Friday: I. Invitatory - Regem Virginis
Friday: II. Matins Antiphon - Benedictum Sit Nomen
Friday: III. Versiculus - Spineo Serto
Friday: IV. Sext Antiphon - Tremor Terre
Friday: V. Vespers Antiphon - Annuntietur In Universa
Saturday: I. Invitatory - In Honorem Virginis
Saturday: II. Second Matins Responsory - Que Est Ista
Saturday: III. Lauds Antiphon - Assumpta Est Maria
Saturday: IV. Benedictus Antiphon - Que Est Ista
Saturday: V. Prime Antiphon - Maria Virgo Assumpta
Saturday: VI. Sext Resp. Breve - Ad Coronam Leticie
Saturday: VII. Vespers Antiphon - Jam Letaris
Saturday: VIII. Vespers Hymn - O Quam Glorifica
Saturday: IX. Magnificat Antiphon - Maria, Maria
Saturday: X. Compline Antiphon - Cum Iocundate

UPC: 7393338182825
Label: Sterling
Release Date: 6.1.18
Format: CD

Ensemble Gemma - 400 Years of Chant in the Birgittine Order (CD)