ADORATION AND REVELATION: 400 YEARS OF MUSIC IN HONOUR OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY AND THE APOCALYPSE

Nova Cantica, Maria Silvia Roveri

The book of Revelation has long been one of the most discussed parts of the Bible. The notion of the Apocalypse has been constantly reinterpreted with the passing of time, and the premise of this disc is to explore the struggle between good and evil.

Each of the Gregorian chants is based on a text of the Apocalypse, following the order of the chapters of Revelation, and there is a recurring theme of contrast throughout. The ideas of light, joy and warmth are opposed with those of darkness, devastation and pain; the heartfelt Rex tremende' is contrasted with the violent rhythms of the dramatic Ypocryte pseudopontifices', the climax of the set. The texts of the Apocalypse are followed by music in honour of the Virgin Mary, the beautiful melodies of which create a completely different atmosphere of reverence and praise.

This collection offers a powerful narrative to the listener, with the impact of both words and music combining to create an intensely thought-provoking and introspective recording. Performing the works is acclaimed vocal ensemble Nova Cantica.

CD 1: Revelation - Apocalypse texts and medieval music
1. Prologue: Mille anni
2. Revelation of the end of the world: Canto della Sibilla
3. Despair: L'acqua mi giunge fino alla gola
4. A voice: Audivi vocem
5. The Lamb: Ergo agnus veri
6. Knowledge: C'è un tempo per nascere e un tempo per morire
7. De facili contempnit omnia: Propositum quidem negocii
8. The power: Sederunt principes
9. The Seven Seals: È venuto il tempo di distruggere coloro che distruggono la terra
10. When the first seal opened: Mundus a munditia
11. The Angel: Stetit angelus
12. The Seven Trumpets: Quando suonò la prima tromba - Homo luge! Homo miserabilis - Brumas e mors
13. The Angel swung his sickle
14. The Lady: Signum magnum
15. The final battle: Clama, ne cesses, Syon filia - Alleluia
16. The hypocrites' false popes: Ypocrite pseudopontifices - Velut stelle
17. Invocation: Rex tremendae - In perhenni - Un nuovo Cielo, una nuova Terra
18. Chi mi darà ali come di colomba? / O gloriosissimi, lux vivens, Angeli
19. Holy people: Non avranno più fame

CD 2 - Ave Gloriosa Mater
1. In honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Ave Regina - Mater Innocencie
2. Nativity of Mary: Ave Gloriosa Mater Salvatoris
3. Annunciation: Officium annuntiationis Sancte Marie
4. Birth of Christ: Verbum bonum et suave
5. Officium quod fit in nocte Natalis Domini
6. Presentation of Jesus at the Temple: Officium in die purificationis
7. The Passion of our Lord: Lamentum Beatae Mariae Virginis
8. Assumption of the Blessed Virgin: O lilium convallium