A combination of two previously released recordings - 'Age of Cathedrals' (HMU907157 - Music from the Magnus Liber Organi) and 'Hoquetus' (HMU907185 - Medieval European Vocal Music).

"Paul Hillier's Theatre of Voices tackle this magnificent repertoire with confidence and a feeling of freedom. It was with a sense of relief that I listened to their unpretentious style of singing which, in general, allows the music to speak for itself, without the intrusion of any particular interpretative quirk, preconceived notion of rhythmic performance, or twentieth century personality cult... a good all-rounder, and merits a place not only in music libraries but in music-lovers collections too." - Gramophone, January 1997 [Age of Cathedrals]

"a suitably gothic title for a hauntingly atmospheric disc of 12th century vocal masterpieces from the Anglo-American group Theatre of Voices...Often such recordings are of historical interest only, but not so here. Vibrant performances convey the invention and mystery of a remarkable period of musical activity and growth. Particularly fine are the quirky and balletic pieces by the medieval 'mods' Léonin and Pérotin." - Classic FM Magazine November 1996

"Mainly one for enthusiasts maybe, but, as ever, superbly produced and performed by Hillier's ensemble." - Classic CD Choice, July 1999 [Hoquetus]

"My advice is, go out and buy it!" - Mary Berry, Early Music Quarterly Summer 1999

"A selection of vocal music of the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries which uses the device known as 'hocketing' [literally hiccoughing'] sung by Paul Hillier's pure-voiced ensemble. Texts are religious and secular, often of great invention and all superbly sung." - Fiona Maddocks, The Observer 1/8/1999

Contents:
CD 1
1. Resonemus hoc natali: Anonymous - St Martial
2. Natus est rex: Anonymous
3. In hoc anni circulo: Anonymous - St Martial
4. Congaudeant catholici: Albertus Parisienis
5. De monte: Anonymous
6. Ve mundo: Philip the Chancellor
7. Benedicamus Domino - Humane proli: Anonymous - St Martial
8. In natale: Adam of St Victor
9. Lilium floruit: Anonymous
10. Propter veritatem: Leoninus
11. Orienti oriens: Anonymous - St Martial
12. Virgo flagellatur: Anonymous - School of Perotinus
13. Mors: Perotinus
14. Templum cordis: Adam of St. Victor
15. Benedicamus Domino: Anonymous - School of Perotinus
16. Beata viscera: Perotinus


CD 2
1. In seculum "Longum" (Hoquetus Four In Seculum Hockets): Bamberg Codex
2. In seculum "Viellatoris" (Hoquetus Four In Seculum Hockets): Bamberg Codex
3. In seculum "Breve" (Hoquetus Four In Seculum Hockets): Bamberg Codex
4. In seculum "D'Amiens longum" (Hoquetus Four In Seculum Hockets): Bamberg Codex
5. Iam nubes dissolvitur/Solem: Montpellier Codex
6. Entre Adan et Hanikel / Chiès bien séans: Montpellier Codex
7. Je n'amerai I (Two Hocket Motets): Montpellier Codex
8. Je n'amerai II (Two Hocket Motets): Montpellier Codex
9. Ave maris stella: Codex Faenza
10. Tous corps quiDe souspirant cuer: Guillaume de Machaut
11. Musicalis scienciaSciencie laudabili: Anonymous
12. Or sus, vous dormés trop: Ivrea Codex
13. Ave rex gentis Anglorum: Bury St Edmund's Manuscript
14. Deus tuorum militumDe flore martyrum: Bury St Edmund's Manuscript
15. Ave miles celestisAve rex patrone: Bury St Edmund's Manuscript
16. Beata viscera: Worcester F.160