Viderunt omnes V. Notum fecit (extract) - Parisian organum for Christmas Day

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Recorded during the premiere of 'In the Shadow of Notre Dame' in St Bene't's Church, Cambridge in December 2021.
Singers: Chloë Allison, Louis Watkins, Toby Ward & Simon Grant

This is an extract of an piece that was very likely sung during the celebration of mass at Notre Dame cathedral on Christmas Day 1200. In Paris at this time, musicians came up with a brand new system of measured rhythm (beats that were a fixed distance apart). This new system allowed musicians to coordinate voices and sing music for more than two voices at once. This monumental piece, which lasts over twelve minutes in its entirety, is for four singers. It’s a mosaic of overlapping melodies that would have accompanied a period of meditation during the service.