Adventus Domini - Schola Gregoriana Pragensis

Adventus Domini / Schola Gregoriana Pragensis
The Advent Rorate mass in Czech 15th-16th century hymn-books

Schola Gregoriana Pragensis, artistic director: David Eben, project author: Hasan El-Dunia

Picture the scene: Advent, a snow-covered Czech landscape; it is still night yet the windows of a small chapel on the hillock in the centre of the village glow warmly in the dark. The worshippers have gathered at a Rorate mass. This image is more than 500 years old, yet we can still encounter it in the Czech countryside today. The Advent tradition of celebrating the Marianmass before daybreak stretches back to the Middle Ages. The "Rorate" got its name from the Latin text of the first antiphon Rorate coeli (Drop down dew, ye heavens). This recording presents a reconstruction of the Rorate mass, as it developed from the early Middle Ages to the second half of the 16th century. Alongside the Gregorian chant, the greatest scope is afforded to the typically Czech repertoire, homophonic and, above all, polyphonic sacred song. This, however, also reflects the influence of Franco-Flemish 16th-century polyphony, which was amply performed by fraternities of men of letters. The recording draws from marvellous manuscripts (the Kodex Speciálník, Kodex Franus, etc.), in which the treasures of this repertoire have been preserved. One would be hard pressed indeed to find finer Rorate mass interpreters than Schola Gregoriana Pragensis - an ensemble with a long tradition, beautiful voices and international renown. Rorate chants usher inAdvent, its peace, and foreshadow the mystery of the Nativity of the Lord.

Liturgická hudba
1. Antiphona O, rising lightning (Chants before Rorate) 01:45
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2. Cantio Joyful singing (Chants before Rorate) 01:19
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3. Antiphona Descendi in hortum meum (Chants before Rorate) 01:54
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4. Introitus Rorate celi – motetus Rorate celi (I go unto the God’s altar) 05:10
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5. Introitus Many righteous prophets and kings (I go unto the God’s altar) 03:35
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6. Kyrie In adventu Domini (I go unto the God’s altar) 03:46
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7. Today is the beginning of our redemption (I go unto the God’s altar) 04:20
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8. Lectio Isaie Prophete (For the reading of the Holy Scripture) 01:39
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9. Alleluia Prophete Sancti (For the reading of the Holy Scripture) 01:48
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The almighty God ( (For the reading of the Holy Scripture)
10. The almighty God 00:35
11. Tropus Christ’s Angel was sent to Virgin Mary 01:46
12. Tropus God sent his Angel 03:33
13. Tropus Let’s all faithful Christians (J. T. Turnovský) 03:21
14. Tropus Let’s sing in exultation 02:46
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15. Lectio Sancti evangelii secundum Joannem (For the reading of the Holy Scripture) 02:11
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16. Offertorium Ave Maria (For the Lord’s Supper) 01:44
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17. Sanctus The most mighty and desirable (For the Lord’s Supper) 01:30
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18. Cantio Gaude quam magnificat (For the Lord’s Supper) 01:59
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19. Sanctus super Gaude quam magnificat (For the Lord’s Supper) 02:48
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20. Communio Beata viscera (For the Lord’s Supper) 01:49
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21. Cantio Salve mater gracie (Handmaid of the Lord) 01:56
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22. Antiphona Tota pulchra es (Handmaid of the Lord) 01:53
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23. Motetus Sicut cedrus (Handmaid of the Lord) 01:40
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24. Lai Mater bonitatis (Handmaid of the Lord) 02:01
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25. Motetus Imperatrix gloriosa (Handmaid of the Lord) 02:26