Sacred Women

Sacred Women
Sarband
Dorian Recordings
(DOR-93235)

The re-release of this amazing performance of early Christian women's chant will be appreciated by more than just medieval buffs; it is, quite simply, some of the most gorgeous Early Music available on disc.

Made up of singers Fadia El-Hage, Belinda Sykes, and Marianne Kirch-and under the direction of Vladimir Ivanoff-Sarband takes its name from an Arabic word for the improvised joining of two musical threads. In this case, the name reflects the group's exploration of the links between European, Islamic, and Jewish musical cultures.

Before the injunctions placed against female vocal performances by the Church, women flourished in Byzantine chant. Here, Sarband chooses to focus on the works of Kassia, one of the earliest surviving women composers in western culture, as well as better-known works from Hildegard von Bingen and the Codex las Huelgas. Also represented are several anonymous works from the Arab and Greek oral traditions.

Listeners will be particularly intrigued by the easter n influences informing these Christian chants, and Ivanoff uses to full advantage the Lebanese-born El-Hage's lush contralto on pieces such as "Alyawm" and "Inna Moussa." The other singers are equally strong, however. Sykes, who was trained in the Bulgarian folk tradition, offers a fresh perspective on the music of von Bingen as it is likely that her earthy, unrefined style more closely approximates what music sounded like in the 12th century.

Even if the idea of listening to sacred music makes you hesitate, this CD is recommended for the unusual material it covers, and the obvious passion brought to it by its participants.

--Mary C. Dalton