Pentecote a Pontigny CD
The Abbey of Pontigny, second daughter-house of Cîteaux, was founded in 1114 in the valley of the River Serin, a typical rural Cistercian site. The Abbey church is the largest Cistercian church surviving in France today.
The imposing height and length of the building give it a remarkably warm and resonant acoustic, well suited to chant. The brilliance of the white stone enables the purity and simplicity of the early Cistercian architecture to be revealed in all its beauty.
The Abbey is rich in history. In particular, during the 12th and 13th centuries three English Archbishops of Canterbury sought refuge there: Thomas Becket (1118-1170), Stephen Langton (d.1228), and Edmund of Abingdon (c.1175-1240), who became patron saint of Pontigny.
Pentecost has a special meaning for the people of Pontigny because it was on a Whit Monday that Edmund of Abingdon St-Edme in French was transported from Soissy, where he died, to his final resting-place above the high altar in the Abbey church.
This recording enters into the spirit of Pentecôte a Pontigny: ritual music for the feast of Pentecost, chants gleaned from Cistercian service-books, and a selection of pieces that honour the three Archbishops.
Track listing
1 Veni, creator Spiritus
2 Spiritus Domini
3 In Rama sonat gemitus
4 Clangat tuba, martyr Thoma
5 Jacet granum
6 Clangat pastor in tuba cornea
7 Thomas gemma/Thomas cæsus
8 Iste Confessor
9 Veni, sancte Spiritus
10 Veni, sancte Spiritus
11 Jam Christus dator munerum
12 Exivit ab Anglia
13 Ave, gemma confessorum
14 Adoramus te, Christe
15 Alleluia: hic Edmundus
16 Dum complerentur
17 Anima mea liquefacta est
18 Fili? Jerusalem
19 Ave, mundi rosa
20 Salve Regina
21 Te Deum laudamus