The first recording in the 4-part series “Mare Balticum”, medieval music from Denmark, received the ICMA (International Classical Music Award). Agnieszka Budzińska-Bennett and Ensemble Peregrina have created a series encapsulating astonishing and persuasive ideas. Budzińska-Bennett digs out works where others do not even know what to dig for and makes them playable. The works on this album are a feast for the ears.

The series provides an insight into the local literature and musical repertories of medieval Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Germany, and Poland; both Latin and the vernacular are represented, as well as the diversity of historical musical instruments used in those regions at the time.

The project aims to show something of the strong political and cultural connections between these medieval countries, their development over time, and the similarities between them, all of which are essential to our understanding of the common identity and history of Balticum, as is reflected to us through its centuries of music.

Ensemble Peregrina is one of the leading ensembles dedicated to the performance of early medieval vocal music. The core of the ensemble comprises Agnieszka Budzińska-Bennett, Kelly Landerkin, Lorenza Donadini, Hanna Järveläinen and Baptiste Romain, often joined by other excellent musicians such as Benjamin Bagby.

“superior scholarship and performance” - Fanfare, USA

“I’ve nothing but praise for the performers and the musicology that lies behind them.” - Early Music Review, UK

Contents:
1. Jesus Christus Lunastajam’
2. Ieremie prophetie
3. Ave maris stella
4. Herra armahda
5. Iesus Christus nostra salus
6. Summe Trinitati V. Prestet nobis gratiam
7. Sicut spinarum V. Assiste spes nostra
8. Perenniter V. Overe dilectionis
9. Palluerunt V. O immensam charitatem
10. Maria Maria tocius
11. Benedicamus Domino suam matrem
12. Cetus noster letus esto
13. Alleluia. Pie presul
14. Ramus virens olivarum
15. Alleluia. O sponsa Cristi
16. Olim spinas V. Dum luxit Suecie
17. Gaude Birgitta canticum
18. Alleluia. O doctrix ewangelica
19. Felix parens Vesgocia
20. Alleluia. Helene Vesgocie
21. Rosa rorans bonitatem
22. Olla mortis patescit
23. O Jumalan caritza
24. Iucundare iugiter