tydings trew
Tydings Trew: A Medieval English Christmas
In "Tydings Trew: Feasts of Christmas in Medieval England," the six-man vocal ensemble Lionheart presents carols, chants and motets for the Christmas season as it was celebrated in the cloisters, palaces and streets of England in the 15th and 16th centuries.
The medieval carol was originally a dance form with worldly and often lewd associations. Franciscan monks converted the carol into Christian usage as part of their long struggle with native English paganism. Some of the carols included in the program retain the rollicking rhythms of their profane ancestors. "Noel . . .Tydings Trew" recounts the angel's message to Mary with a boisterous chorus. Other carols are gentle and meditative, such as the well-known "Coventry Carol," a lament for the children of Bethlehem who were slaughtered by the raging King Herod.
Chants from a medieval English monastic book, and an authentic medieval English pronunciation bring to life the music and poetry of a distant age. The program follows the cycles of monastic observance through the twelve days of Christmas, which includes feasts of martyrs such as Saint Thomas of Canterbury. The carol "Saint Thomas honor we" glorifies the murdered Archbishop, who died defending the rights of the Church from the encroaching power of King Henry II.
Also included are mystical motets from the Old Hall Manuscript, and "Gaude virgo mater christi," by King Henry VIII's court composer William Cornysh.
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Audio
Hayl Mary, ful of grace (3:08)From Tydings Trew [Koch]
Lully, lulla thou tiny little child (3:58)
From Tydings Trew [Koch International Classics]
