Ars Choralis Coeln, Maria Jonas - Rose van Jhericho: The Song Book of Anna of Cologne (2007) CD-Rip

The songs and devotional works included in this recital by the women's ensemble of Ars Choralis Coeln, a group dedicated to liturgical chant and Medieval song, are found in a collection of songs for worship compiled by Anna von Köln (ca. 1480-1530). Anna, who was probably a member of a non-cloistered Beguine community, collected songs in a variety of languages, including Rhinelandic, Middle Dutch, and Latin, some of which included the text and music, and some of which had the text only, requiring research to discover the music in other contemporary sources. Almost all of the songs are monophonic, sung by either soloists or in alternation between a soloist and a unison ensemble. The earliest chants, sung in free rhythm, are mostly a cappella, and later, metrically regular songs are usually accompanied by an instrumental ensemble ranging in size from a single instrument to combination of recorder, bells, hammered dulcimer, harp, and vielle. The soloists and vocal ensemble, conducted by Maria Jonas (who also serves as one of the soloists), sing with pure and radiant sound. The instrumental ensemble is employed with great discretion, and offers a colorful but chaste accompaniment. The various vocal and instrumental combinations, as well as the range of the repertoire, give the collection an attractively diverse range of sound. The sound quality is exemplary -- both clean and warm.