Miracles of Compostela: Medieval Chant & Polyphony for St. James from the Codex Calixtinus

The program is a selection of chant and polyphony taken from a fascinating 12th-century manuscript that includes not only music but also sermons, stories, legends, and "an informative travel guide to the pilgrimage routes through France and Spain." The collection originated in France, but since the late 12th century it has resided in the famed Cathedral of Santiago in Compostela, Spain. In a purely vocal sense, these performances are transcendent: impeccable intonation, no false turns or failed leaps, and an ethereal ambience that is hard to describe with mere words. Musically, this recording features some of Anonymous 4's most engaging repertoire. No matter how many Anonymous 4/medieval music recordings you already own, these four women will still manage to keep you transfixed throughout, bringing you awesomely close to the spiritual essence of these impassioned yet often simple works of religious devotion. --David Vernier