Sancta Nox: Christmas Matins from Bavaria CD
Sung by the Seminarians of Saint Peter Wigratzbad.
For connoisseurs of beautiful Christmas music, this is a must-have for their collection. It brings a taste of heaven for the most deeply felt Christmas moments - presented by a group located in the majestic Alps of Germany's Bavaria region.
Be transported by the peaceful sounds of Christmas Matins through Gregorian Chant and polyphonic gems. It also includes an ethereal rendition of a multi-lingual Silent Night. Reminiscent of the chanting monks of old, the choir of the Seminarians of Saint Peter Wigratzbad recorded this music in the historic St. Magnus Abbey of Bad Schussenried, built in the 12th century.
'Tis the season to expand your playlist and enjoy this exquisite a capella Christmas repertoire!
The CD contains 17 tracks, including a polyphonic version of the song "Stille Nacht".
Many have heard The Seminarians sing this Matins repertoire leading up to Christmas services over the years, often suggesting that the group record and capture this stirring moment of the season. The text – beginning with “Dómine, lábia mea aperies Et os meum annuntiábit laudem tuam” (“O Lord, open Thou my lips. And my mouth shall declare Thy praise”) – is spiritually uplifting, meant to convey souls to a particular vision of something larger to come; the effect of the music is far-reaching and timeless, bound to touch the deepest emotions of any human heart.
Manuel Vaz Guedes, a singer on Sancta Nox, reflected on the importance of the setting for the recording, “St. Magnus Abbey of Bad Schussenried, where we recorded, is an Abby founded in 12th century by monks– and the architecture is typical Baroque and the acoustics are perfect.” Elaborating on the roots of Gregorian chant he had this to say, “Gregorian chant is very profound and the lyrics and melodies are written by God Himself in some way, and we are aware of this as we sing.”
Christopher Alder, who has worked with some of the greatest classical singers of the past 30 years, echoes this idea that the words and melodies of the Sancta Nox chant are uniquely presented on these ‘Christmas Matins from Bavaria’ “This community has obviously put a lot of emphasis on concentrated musical training in their education” he says. “They know this material intimately, by heart, in every sense of the term because the text is being simultaneously believed and sung at the highest level.”
Deacon Gwilym Evans who served as the Music Director for the project had this to say of the recording, “We are blessed at Wigratzbad to have good voices and musical talent. And there are some moments during the year when I think to myself: ‘wouldn’t it be wonderful to share this experience, this beautiful music with the outside world?’ So I was delighted when we had the opportunity to record Christmas Matins, the night office that proceeds midnight Mass, which for me is one of those very special moments.”
Sales of the CD via the LMS will directly support the seminary in Wigratzbad, so, help fund the training of our future priests!
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