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

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2. Commusicare by Commusicare: musical conversation from the Renaissance to the Baroque
3. Soyes Loyal by Asteria: late-medieval vocal and instrumental music
4. The Dawn of Joy by Shira Kammen: early folk and celtic music.
5. The Once and Future Harp by Cheryl Ann Fulton: World-class performer and teacher of Medieval, Baroque, Welsh triple, Celtic and Concert harps.
6. Influenza Italiana by Ensemble Mirable: rare and extraordinary music of the Baroque
7. Humanity Is Falling Apart by Moh Alileche: music of the mountains of Kabylia
8. Six Sonatas for Flute and Violin - Opus 51 - Boismortier by Duo de Bois: exquisite chamber music
9. Vitality and Virtuosity - Sonatas by Haydn and Beethoven by Ivan Ilic: dazzling classical pianist
10. Josquin des Prez Lute Settings by Jacob Heringman: renaissance lute
11. SL Weiss on 11 Strings by Paul Berget: renaissance lute, modernized.
12. New Jazz Galaxy by Jive Ass Sleepers: chilled out grooves & uptempo funkathons
13. Dram by Anna Rynefors and Erik Ask Upmark: swedish folk music
14. Mistral by Shira Kammen: early folk and celtic music.
15. The Castle of the Holly King by Shira Kammen: early folk and celtic music.
16. Hang by Laura Inserra: the Hang, a new instrument from Switzerland
17. Lucidity by Beth Quist: electro-Balkan / Indian meets New Age.
18. Sea Spirits by Jesse Manno: middle eastern/balkan music and new age
19. Eastern Wind by Eliyahu Sills: cross-cultural grooves
20. Airs De Cour Francais Du XVIIe Siecle by Trio Dafne: delicate 17th century chansons

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