This reissue of early Medieval vocal music from Finland includes a unique reconstruction of 14th and 15th century Gregorian music that was performed in Finland in the memory of St Henry, Finland’s Patron Saint. Liturgical literature dealing with St Henry is abundant and the music in this collection consists of extracts from masses and offices to St Henry. Liturgical legend and oral tradition provide a colourful account of English clergyman’s mission to Finland where he was killed on 20 January 1156. This day became the day for commemoration of the saint. He has been held to be the principal founder of the Church of Finland since the 1290s, when his relics were translated to the national shrine, the Church of Our Lady in Turku.

The music collection Piae Cantiones was first published in 1582 by Jacobus Finno, the headmaster of the Turku
Cathedral School. This collection of songs in Latin are not directly religious, but the texts have a strong Christian undercurrent. Apart from the liturgical material, almost the only music from the Middle Ages and the early modern era preserved in the Nordic countries consists of cantios. The cantios were mostly cultivated in schools and vary in construction and subject. Large number of the melodies in this collection can be traced back to the Middle Ages. However, about half the melodies have not been found in any other source. This collection of songs became very popular, and their first edition in Finnish language was published in 1616.

Contents:

CD 1 Memoria Sancti Henrici: Collection of Medieval Chant for the Patron Saint of Finland
1 Deus in adiutorium (O God, come to my aid)
2 Gaudeamus omnes (Let us all rejoice)
3 Sanctum Ericum comitans (In the company of St Eric)
4 Sanctus Ericus dulciter (St Eric loved)
5 Quidam homines de Kwmo (A number of men from Kokemäki)
6 Martir iste militauit (That martyr was a soldier)
7 Multitudo languencium (A number of sick have been healed)
8 O vita commendabilis (O commendable life)
9 Christi pugil eximius (A good soldier of Christ)
10 Digitus martiris gloriosi (A finger of the glorious martyr)
11 Imitator Saluatoris (Imitating the Saviour)
12 Perfecte desiderium (With desires completely fulfilled)
13 Omnes gentes iubilate (Let all nations rejoice)
14 Dum deuotis poscitur (When invoked by devoted prayers)
15 Preclari patris sanctitas (The sanctity of the eminent Father)
16 Gaude cetus fidelium (Rejoice, the flock of faithful)
17 Alleluya. Pie presul (Alleluia, pious Bishop)
18 Ecce magnus presbiter (Behold the great Bishop)
Vocal Ensembles: Cetus Noster, Köyhät Ritarit

CD 2 Piæ Cantiones ecclesiasticæ et scholasticæ veterum episcoporum: Early Finnish Vocal Music
1 Iucundare iugiter (Together you must rejoice)
2 Iucundare iugiter
3 Cedit hiems eminus (Winter’s power wanes)
4 Cedit hiems eminus
5 Aetas carmen melodiae (Let mankind sing a song)
6 Aetas carmen melodiae
7 Iesu dulcis memoria (Jesus, sweet remembrance)
8 Ramus virens olivarum (The green branch of olive)
9 Ave funda Davidis (Hail, O David’s sling)
10 Zachaeus arboris (Zachaeus climbed a tree)
11 Puer natus in Bethlehem (A boy is born in Bethlehem)
12 De radice processerat (A wonderful branch has come forth)
13 Verbum caro factum est (The word was made flesh)
14 Omnis mundus iucundentur (Let the whole world be glad)
15 Paranymphus adiens (An angel visited)
16 Laetetur Ierusalem (Let Jerusalem rejoice)
17 Resonet in laudibus (Let Zion ring)
18 Jumalisten joucko (The crowd of the faithful)
19 Ad cantus laetitiae (To sing praises)
20 Parvulus nobis nascitur (A tiny child is born for us)
21 Kunniallisuuden hyvys (The virtue of honour)
22 Vanitatum vanitas (Vanity of vanities)
23 Coeperit faustis (A fortunate beginning and continued success)
24 Insignis est figura (Apt is the comparison)
25 Mars praecurrit in planetis (Mars predominates among the planets)
26 Mirum si laeteris (It is a miracle if you rejoice)
27 Ad perennis vitae fontem (To the fountain of eternal life)
Finnish Radio Chamber Choir, Timo Nuoranne (conductor)