Hymns of Kassianí
$9.98 – $20.00
On April 16th Cappella Records is proud to present the release of Hymns of Kassianí performed by Cappella Romana, Alexander Lingas, music director.
Discover the world’s earliest music by a female composer: 9th-century nun, poet, and hymnographer Kassianí (Kassía).
The same men and women of Cappella Romana who brought you the Lost Voices of Hagia Sophia bestseller (44 weeks on Billboard), now sing the earliest music we have by a female composer, including long-suppressed hymns recorded here for the first time.
They close with two medieval versions of her beloved hymn for Orthodox Holy Week.
Cappella Romana is the world’s leading ensemble in the field of medieval Byzantine chant. Building on its extensive catalogue of this repertoire, Hymns of Kassianí is its 25th release. This is the first of a planned series to record all of Kassianí’s surviving works.
- Lamplighting Psalms, Mode 2
«Κύριε ἐκέκραξα» “Lord, I have cried…” - Stíchera Prosómoia
Kassía, MS Vienna Theo. gr.181
Psalm 140 &c., MS Sinai 1255 - Other Prosómoia
Kassía, MS Ambr. 139 - Doxastikon of Great Vespers of Christmas Day
«Αὐγούστου μοναρχήσαντος» “When Augustus reigned”
Kassía, MS Grott. E.α.II - Idiómelon from Great Vespers
on the Eve of the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee
«Παντοκράτορ Κύριε, οἶδα, πόσα δύνανται τὰ δάκρυα»
“Almighty Lord, I know how powerful tears are
Kassía, MS Grott. E.α.5 - Tetraōdion for Great and Holy Saturday, Odes 1 and 3
Kassía, MS Grott. E.γ.ΙΙ - Idiómelon from Matins
for the Sunday of the Pharisee and the Publican
«Ταῖς ἐξ ἔργων καυχήσεσι» “... by boasting of his works”
Kassía, MS Vienna Theo. gr.181 - Tetraodion for Great and Holy Saturday, Odes 4 and 5
Kassía, MS Grott. E.γ.ΙΙ - From Great and Holy Wednesday at Matins
«Κύριε, ἡ ἐν πολλαῖς ἁμαρτίαις περιπεσοῦσα»
“Lord, the woman found in many sins”
Kassía, MS Grott. E.α.5 - Kalophonic Stícheron Στιχηρὸν καλοφωνικόν
«Κύριε, ἡ ἐν πολλαῖς ἁμαρτίαις περιπεσοῦσα»
“Lord, the woman found in many sins”
text: Kassía; music: attr. Meletios the Monk; MS Sinai 1251
Hymns for Christmas
Hymns from the Triodion and Holy Week
WTJU
Cappella Romana are specialists in Byzantine chant, and this album is a stunner. … Hearing this recording in surround made me feel like I was standing in the Hagia [Sophia] when these hymns were new. I am so looking forward to the next installment.” ” –Ralph Graves
BlogCritics
If you turn it up and close your eyes you feel like you’re in a vast church or cathedral… sit back and listen, and let Cappella Romana’s superb singers transport you ” –Jon Sobel
Cinemusical
The music is rather striking… The performances transport the listener back in time to experience this music in stunning sound. … Highly Recommended! ” –Steven A. Kennedy
ConcertoNet
this album provides a new tool not only for self-examination but for indulgence in the rich sensual heritage of Byzantine singing. Kassianí’s songs demand to be heard, and we are enriched by listening to them, especially in this authentic and deeply expressive collection. ” –Linda Holt
Classical-Modern Music Review
excellent, state-of-the-art performances… It is ravishing, invariably, and quite refreshing if you are not familiar. Either way this one is a milestone. ” –Grego Applegate-Edwards
Audiophile Audition
Cappella Romana continues to turn out sensational recordings that are state-of-the-art in sound quality. … This is a landmark recording that will still retain its importance for many years to come. ” –Steven Ritter
Planet Hugill
“The music moves between the solid chant to more florid, flowing sections, the result is imaginative and I find it immensely appealing. … the performances are seductively intriguing ” –Robert Hugill
TheaterByte
Hymns of Kassiani represents another recording triumph for the Cappella Records label. … Highest recommendation. ” –Lawrence Devoe
InfoDad
Under the sensitive and knowing direction of Alexander Lingas, the members of Cappella Romana present…this revelatory SACD ” –InfoDad
Choir and Organ
“ celebrated with hugely impressive, authoritative scholarship and performance practice, sonorously glorious vocal colour, and pride by the male and female voices of Cappella Romana” ” –Rebecca Tavener
Gramophone Magazine
What makes this album so remarkable, in addition to its focus on the first extant music known to be by a female composer, is the genuinely transportive effect… ” –Thomas May
American Record Guide
This is one of the most significant recordings of medieval music to appear recently. I hope it will open both ears and minds to Kassia’s richly imaginative musical voice. ” –Charles E Brewer
HRAudio.net
The full mystic weight invades your spirit like being back in the Eastern Orthodox time. Proof of Cappella Romana’s authenticity? For me, no doubt. ” –Adrian Quanjer
CD HotList
The performances were recorded in the wonderfully reverberant acoustic of the Madeleine Parish in Portland, Oregon, creating the perfect sonic atmosphere for this powerful and mystical music. ” –Rick Anderson
Early Music America
melodies ebb and flow over a drone, the lines marked by subtle vocal shakes and scoops that give the music its distinctive sound. ” –Aaron Keebaugh
The American Organist
All who are steeped in the Orthodox tradition will cherish this recording...substantial, descriptive, and satisfying music of pure vocal essence. ” –Richard Coffey
