Schola Gregoriana Pragensis - Adventus Domini / SGP / D.Eben (CHRISTMAS)

The Advent Rorate Mass in Czech 15th-16th century hymn-books

Chants before Rorate

1. Antiphona O, rising lightning 1:43

2. Cantio Joyful singing 1:17

3. Antiphona Descendi in hortum meum 1:51

I go unto the God's altar

4. Introitus Rorate celi - motetus Rorate celi 5:07

5. Introitus Many righteous prophets and kings 3:31

6. Kyrie In adventu Domini 3:43

7. Kyrie Today is the beginning of our redemption 4:16

For the reading of the Holy Scripture

8. Lectio Isaie Prophete 1:37

9. Alleluia Prophete Sancti 1:48

10.-14. The almighty God 11:59

11. Tropus Christ's Angel was sent to Virgin Mary 1:45

12. Tropus God sent his Angel 3:32

13. Jan Trojan Turnovský: Tropus Let's all faithful Christians 3:21

14. Tropus Let's sing in exultation 2:44

15. Lectio Sancti evangelii secundum Joannem 2:07

For the Lord's Supper

16. Offertorium Ave Maria 1:41

17. Sanctus The most mighty and desirable 1:29

18. Cantio Gaude quam magnificat 1:58

19. Sanctus super Gaude quam magnificat 2:45

20. Communio Beata viscera 1:46

Handmaid of the Lord

21. Cantio Salve mater gracie 1:53

22. Antiphona Tota pulchra es 1:52

23. Motetus Sicut cedrus 1:38

24. Lai Mater bonitatis 2:00

25. Motetus Imperatrix gloriosa 2:26

Schola Gregoriana Pragensis

Artistic direction: David Eben, author of the project: Hasan El-Dunia

Picture the scene: Advent, a snow-covered Czech landscape; it is still night yet the windows of a small chapel on the hillock in the centre of the village glow warmly in the dark. The worshippers have gathered at a Rorate mass. This image is more than 500 years old, yet we can still encounter it in the Czech countryside today. The Advent tradition of celebrating the Marian mass before daybreak stretches back to the Middle Ages. The "Rorate" got its name from the Latin text of the first antiphon Rorate coeli (Drop down dew, ye heavens). This recording presents a reconstruction of the Rorate mass, as it developed from the early Middle Ages to the second half of the 16th century. Alongside the Gregorian chant, the greatest scope is afforded to the typically Czech repertoire, homophonic and, above all, polyphonic sacred song. This, however, also reflects the influence of Franco-Flemish 16th-century polyphony, which was amply performed by fraternities of men of letters. The recording draws from marvellous manuscripts (the Kodex Speciálník, Kodex Franus, etc.), in which the treasures of this repertoire have been preserved. One would be hard pressed indeed to find finer Rorate mass interpreters than Schola Gregoriana Pragensis - an ensemble with a long tradition, beautiful voices and international renown. Rorate chants usher in Advent, its peace, and foreshadow the mystery of the Nativity of the Lord.

Rorate chants - an age-old tradition of Czech Advent.

(Supraphon 2011)