1000: A Mass for the End of Time

1	Judicii signum, processio
2	Quem creditis super astra
3	Celestis terrestrisque, k
4	Prudentia prudentium, glo
5	Dominus in Sina
6	Ascendens Christus
7	Salvator mundi / Rex omni
8	Elevatus est rex fortis /
9	Ante secula, sanctus
10	Omnipotens eterne (Agnus
11	Corpus quod nunc / Psalli
12	Apocalypse 21:1-5, lectio
13	Regnantem sempiterna, pro
14	Cives celestis patrie, hy
1000: A Mass for the End of Time
1.	Judicii signum, processional hymn 6:13
	Composed by Gregorian Chant
	Performed by Anonymous 4
2.	Quem creditis super astra / Viri galilei, troped introit 10:03
	Composed by Gregorian Chant
	Performed by Anonymous 4
3.	Celestis terrestrisque, kyrie 5:34
	Composed by Gregorian Chant
	Performed by Anonymous 4
4.	Prudentia prudentium, gloria 6:05
	Composed by Gregorian Chant
	Performed by Anonymous 4
5.	Dominus in Sina 3:24
	Composed by Gregorian Chant
	Performed by Anonymous 4
6.	Ascendens Christus 4:56
	Composed by Gregorian Chant
	Performed by Anonymous 4
7.	Salvator mundi / Rex omnipotens die hodierna, sequence 8:15
	Composed by Gregorian Chant
	Performed by Anonymous 4
8.	Elevatus est rex fortis / Viri galilei, troped offertory 8:29
	Composed by Gregorian Chant
	Performed by Anonymous 4
9.	Ante secula, sanctus 2:50
	Composed by Gregorian Chant
	Performed by Anonymous 4
10.	Omnipotens eterne (Agnus Dei) 3:03
	Composed by Gregorian Chant
	Performed by Anonymous 4
11.	Corpus quod nunc / Psallite domino, troped communion 2:34
	Composed by Gregorian Chant
	Performed by Anonymous 4
12.	Apocalypse 21:1-5, lection 2:41
	Composed by Gregorian Chant
	Performed by Anonymous 4
13.	Regnantem sempiterna, prose 2:37
	Composed by Gregorian Chant
	Performed by Anonymous 4
14.	Cives celestis patrie, hymn 5:38
	Composed by Gregorian Chant
	Performed by Anonymous 4

Barnes & Noble

To commemorate the millennial anticipation and anxiety felt the first time around by our medieval forebears, the members of Anonymous 4 bring us another of the shrewdly assembled programs for which they are famous. Returning to chant and early polyphony from the 10th century, set down in Aquitainian manuscripts and the celebrated Winchester Troper from Britain, they have constructed a Mass for Ascension Day, a feast with strong liturgical associations to the apocalypse. This is the earliest music to which Anonymous 4 has lent their distinctively pure, beautifully blended voices. Such purity and repose might at first seem strange when combined with texts describing the Last Judgment. But that's part of the point: For a culture so thoroughly buttressed by faith, the end of the world needn't be such a terrifying prospect. This is Anonymous 4's first recording with new member Jacqueline Horner -- the only personnel change since the group formed in 1986 -- but their sound is still pristinely gorgeous. The mass performed here is rooted in chant, and the group takes the opportunity to add drones and polyphonic lines where appropriate, according to instructions from treatises of the time. The moments in which a single, austere chant melody blossoms into a rich interplay between the voices are stunning without fail. And the group paces the program for maximum effect, starting from unadorned chants, gradually supplementing them with drones and added lines, and reaching high points of rapture in a climactic sequence of two Alleluias. They descend gracefully from this arch, ending once again in a plainchant hymn. Like much of the music Anonymous 4 perform, it may sound simple to the ears, but its serene beauty is crafted -- and sung -- with the utmost artfulness. Scott Paulin

New York Times

Anonymous 4's now legendary silky blending of voices is evident throughout. Mass for the End of Time is a hauntingly beautiful journey back in time. Ira Rosenblum