The music of the proper (lat. proprium), always occasion-specific, contains texts directly relating to the feast held on August 15th. The elements of the proprium include the Introitus, Graduale, Alleluia, Offertorium, and Communio.

The ordinary (lat. ordinarium) refers to mass elements in which the text is fixed. The Kyrie eleison (track 3) and Gloria (track 4) are taken from Marian masses, while the Sanctus (track 12) and Agnus Dei (track 13) come from other sources. The Agnus Dei, with its three-part trope Lux lucis from a unicum Scottish manuscript, demonstrates the richness of sound in the 13th century. It also functions as a bridge to the three-part Gloria (track 4) tropes from the Burgos Monastery, and to the three- and four-part Notre Dame conductus (track 1,11) Both of the four-part conductus and the two-part Alleluia (track 9) are attributed to the only composers of Notre Dame repertory known by name, Magestri Leonin and Perotin.

On this recording, the alternation of Gregorian chant and elaborate three-part music creates an effective heightening of intensity within the musical dramaturgy. Providing space for reflection upon the significance of the ritual, the paraliturgic conducti are not part of the order of the mass and thus do not have a specific location within it. Two examples are heard from the monastic Liturgy of the hours of the Assumption of Mary: the Antiphon Quae est ista (track 8), which presents Psalm 113, In exitu Israel, and the 14th century reading, Jube Domine: Consurge induere fortitudine (track 6). The mass concludes with the Benedicamus Domino (track 15).

VOX NOSTRA conducted independent musicological research to produce this recording. All music is performed using original notation, including neumes and modal notation.

1. Deus Misertus Hominis - Conductus (Magister Perotin)
2. Gaudeamus Omnes In Domino - Introitus (Anon)
3. Kyrie Eleison (Anon)
4. Gloria In Excelsis Deo - Spiritus Et Alme (Anon)
5. Propter Veritatem - Graduale (Anon)
6. Jube Domine - Consurge - Lectio (Anon)
7. Ave Maris Stella - Conductus (Anon)
8. Quae Est Ista - Psalm 113 In Exitu Israel - Antiphon (Anon)
9. Alleluia - Hodie Maria Virgo - Organum (Magister Leonin)
10. Assumpta Est Maria - Offertorium (Anon)
11. Mundus Vergens In Defectum - Conductus (Magister Perotin)
12. Sanctus (Anon)
13. Agnus Dei- Lux Lucis (Anon)
14. Optimam Partem Elegit - Magnificat - Communio (Anon)
15. Benedicamus Domino - Deo Gratias (Anon)

Listen to: the entire album.

Release date: 12/24/2010
Vox Nostra lives in Berlin Germany

Tagged as: Classical, Vocal, Medieval, Classical Singing, Choral

1. Angelus by Zephyrus: Early Music vocal ensemble
2. Un Tres Doulx Regard by Asteria: late-medieval vocal and instrumental music
3. Awake My Lyre by Poeticall Musicke: Late Renaissance and Early Baroque music, historically performed
4. Passion, Pestilence and Polyphony by Misericordia: sickeningly good Medieval
5. Armato Il Cor by Poeticall Musicke: Late Renaissance and Early Baroque music, historically performed
6. The Black Dragon by Canconier: Medieval music from the 12th to the 15th centuries
7. Gabriels Message - Festive Music From Medieval England by Mediva: medieval music made enticingly modern
8. Influenza Italiana by Ensemble Mirable: rare and extraordinary music of the Baroque
9. For the Love of Jaqueline by Asteria: late-medieval vocal and instrumental music
10. Medieval and Traditional Carols, Chansons and Festive Dances by In Nova Cantica: carols and chansons from the 13th - 17th Centuries for dancing, festivities and mayhem
11. Commusicare by Commusicare: musical conversation from the Renaissance to the Baroque
12. Viva Mediva by Mediva: medieval music made enticingly modern
13. Cancionero by Dufay Collective: instrumental and vocal music from the Middle Ages and Reniassance
14. Dolci Miei Sospiri by Ensemble Carpe Diem: Early music featuring Italian affetti from Switzerland
15. Conversations Galantes by Ensemble Mirable: rare and extraordinary music of the Baroque
16. Concerto Barocco by Voices of Music: Lilting Renaissance & Baroque vocal interpretations
17. Italian Music of the 17th Century by Altri Stromenti: 17th century baroque ensemble
18. Ludwig Senfl by Farallon Recorder Quartet: renaissance recorder ensemble
19. Pastourelle by Fortune's Wheel: a spirited rediscovery of the riches of medieval musical traditions

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