Newly recorded at the Basilica in Assisi, the birthplace of the Franciscan order, a comprehensive set of the ‘Rhymed Offices’ chanted by religious communities to bear witness to the miracles and virtues of St Francis and of St Antony of Padua.
During the Middle Ages, the Church established the custom of chanting original poetic texts during the Hours of the Office (in particular, Vespers, Matins and Lauds). Their purpose was to construct a story which linked biblical texts, such as psalms and canticles, to the deeds and virtues of the Saints of the Church.
Those Offices dedicated to St Francis of Assisi and to St Antony of Padua are attributed to Brother Julian, a musician-poet monk born in the Rhineland town of Speyer between 1175 and 1180. Most of his life was spent in Paris; he took formal Franciscan orders around 1225, and died in 1250.
Saint Francis had died in October 1226. A biography was soon produced, by Tommaso of Celano, and Julian seems to have based his Offices on this text; they were widely sung in monasteries and convents across Europe from 1235 onwards. Meanwhile, the Offices dedicated to St Antony, who died in 1231 and was canonized the following year, seem to be entirely Julian’s work, both text and music. Julian writes in flowing Latin iambic pentameter verse, and composes in a style increasingly detached from the formulas of Gregorian chant proper, inflected by the contemporary emergence of polyphony, exemplified by the music of Pérotin in works such as Sederunt principes.
The musicians and singers of the Nova Schola Gregoriana of Verona have recorded several volumes of Gregorian chant over the course of their 40-year history, while performing at major international festivals in Paris, Avignon and Cremona, and touring Japan and the United States. They also feature on Brilliant Classics albums of organ masses by Fasolo, Frescobaldi and Merulo. Their new account of these meditative Offices is impeccably authentic in style, text and origin.
Julian Von Speyer: St. Francis of Assisi Rhymed Office, First Vespers (In Primis Vespris): I. Deus in adiutorium meum
Julian Von Speyer: St. Francis of Assisi Rhymed Office, First Vespers (In Primis Vespris): II. Ant. Franciscus vir catholicus and Ps. 109
Julian Von Speyer: St. Francis of Assisi Rhymed Office, First Vespers (In Primis Vespris): III. Ant. Coepit sub innocentio and Ps. 110
Julian Von Speyer: St. Francis of Assisi Rhymed Office, First Vespers (In Primis Vespris): IV. Ant. Hunc sanctus praeelegerat and Ps. 111
Julian Von Speyer: St. Francis of Assisi Rhymed Office, First Vespers (In Primis Vespris): V. Ant. Franciscus evangelicum and Ps. 112
Julian Von Speyer: St. Francis of Assisi Rhymed Office, First Vespers (In Primis Vespris): VI. Ant. Hic creaturis imperat and Ps. 116
Julian Von Speyer: St. Francis of Assisi Rhymed Office, First Vespers (In Primis Vespris): VII. Hymn. Proles de caelo prodiit
Julian Von Speyer: St. Francis of Assisi Rhymed Office, First Vespers (In Primis Vespris): VIII. Ora pro nobis, beate Pater noster Francisce
Julian Von Speyer: St. Francis of Assisi Rhymed Office, First Vespers (In Primis Vespris): IX. Ant. ad Magn. O stupor et gaudium and Magnificat
Julian Von Speyer: St. Francis of Assisi Rhymed Office, First Vespers (In Primis Vespris): X. Benedicamus Domino
Julian Von Speyer: St. Francis of Assisi Rhymed Office, Matins (Ad Matutinum): I. Domine labia mea aperies
Julian Von Speyer: St. Francis of Assisi Rhymed Office, Matins (Ad Matutinum): II. Ant. Regi, quae fecit opera and Invitatorium (Ps. 94)
Julian Von Speyer: St. Francis of Assisi Rhymed Office, Matins (Ad Matutinum): III. Hymn. In caelesti collegio
Julian Von Speyer: St. Francis of Assisi Rhymed Office, in First Nocturn (In Primo Nocturno): I. Ant. Hic vir and Ps. 1
Julian Von Speyer: St. Francis of Assisi Rhymed Office, in First Nocturn (In Primo Nocturno): II. Ant. Excelsi dextrae gratia and Ps. 2
Julian Von Speyer: St. Francis of Assisi Rhymed Office, in First Nocturn (In Primo Nocturno): III. Ant. Mansuescit sed non penitus and Ps. 3
Julian Von Speyer: St. Francis of Assisi Rhymed Office, in First Nocturn (In Primo Nocturno): IV. Resp. Franciscus, ut in publicum
Julian Von Speyer: St. Francis of Assisi Rhymed Office, in First Nocturn (In Primo Nocturno): V. Resp. In dei fervens opere
Julian Von Speyer: St. Francis of Assisi Rhymed Office, in First Nocturn (In Primo Nocturno): VI. Resp. Dum pater hunc persequitur
Julian Von Speyer: St. Francis of Assisi Rhymed Office, In Second Nocturn (In Secundo Nocturno): I. Ant. Pertractum domi verberat and Ps. 4
Julian Von Speyer: St. Francis of Assisi Rhymed Office, In Second Nocturn (In Secundo Nocturno): II. Ant. Iam liber patris furiae and Ps. 5
Julian Von Speyer: St. Francis of Assisi Rhymed Office, In Second Nocturn (In Secundo Nocturno): III. Ant. Ductus ad loci and Ps. 8
Julian Von Speyer: St. Francis of Assisi Rhymed Office, In Second Nocturn (In Secundo Nocturno): IV. Resp. Dum seminudo corpore
Julian Von Speyer: St. Francis of Assisi Rhymed Office, In Second Nocturn (In Secundo Nocturno): V. Resp. Amicum quaerit pristinum
Julian Von Speyer: St. Francis of Assisi Rhymed Office, In Second Nocturn (In Secundo Nocturno): VI. Resp. Audit in evangelio
Disk 2
Julian Von Speyer: St. Francis of Assisi Rhymed Office, in Third Nocturn (In Tertio Nocturno): I. Ant. Cor verbis novae gratiae and Ps. 14
Julian Von Speyer: St. Francis of Assisi Rhymed Office, in Third Nocturn (In Tertio Nocturno): II. Ant. Pacem salutem nuntiat and Ps. 20
Julian Von Speyer: St. Francis of Assisi Rhymed Office, in Third Nocturn (In Tertio Nocturno): III. Ant. Ut novis sancti merita and Ps. 23
Julian Von Speyer: St. Francis of Assisi Rhymed Office, in Third Nocturn (In Tertio Nocturno): IV. Resp. Carnis spicam contempus area
Julian Von Speyer: St. Francis of Assisi Rhymed Office, in Third Nocturn (In Tertio Nocturno): V. Resp. De paupertatis horreo
Julian Von Speyer: St. Francis of Assisi Rhymed Office, Other Responsories (Alia Responsoria): I. Resp. Sex fratrum, Pater septimus
Julian Von Speyer: St. Francis of Assisi Rhymed Office, Other Responsories (Alia Responsoria): II. Resp. Arcana suis reserans
Julian Von Speyer: St. Francis of Assisi Rhymed Office, Other Responsories (Alia Responsoria): III. Resp. Euntes inquit in eum
Julian Von Speyer: St. Francis of Assisi Rhymed Office, Other Responsories (Alia Responsoria): IV. Resp. Regressis quos emiserat
Julian Von Speyer: St. Francis of Assisi Rhymed Office, at lauds (Ad Laudes): I. Hymn. Plaude turba
Julian Von Speyer: St. Francis of Assisi Rhymed Office, at lauds (Ad Laudes): II. Ora pro nobis, beate Pater noster Francisce
Julian Von Speyer: St. Francis of Assisi Rhymed Office, at lauds (Ad Laudes): III. Ant. ad Ben. O Martyr desiderio and Benedictus Deus Israel
Julian Von Speyer: St. Francis of Assisi Rhymed Office, at lauds (Ad Laudes): IV. Benedicamus Domino
Julian Von Speyer: St. Francis of Assisi Rhymed Office, Second Vespers (In Secundis Vespris): I. Deus in adiutorium meum
Julian Von Speyer: St. Francis of Assisi Rhymed Office, Second Vespers (In Secundis Vespris): II. Ant. Sanctus Franciscus praeviis and Ps. 109
Julian Von Speyer: St. Francis of Assisi Rhymed Office, Second Vespers (In Secundis Vespris): III. Ant. Hic praedicando circuit and Ps. 110
Julian Von Speyer: St. Francis of Assisi Rhymed Office, Second Vespers (In Secundis Vespris): IV. Ant. Tres ordines hic ordinat and Ps. 111
Julian Von Speyer: St. Francis of Assisi Rhymed Office, Second Vespers (In Secundis Vespris): V. Ant. Doctus doctrice gratia and Ps. 112
Julian Von Speyer: St. Francis of Assisi Rhymed Office, Second Vespers (In Secundis Vespris): VI. Ant. Laudans laudare monuit and Ps. 116
Julian Von Speyer: St. Francis of Assisi Rhymed Office, Second Vespers (In Secundis Vespris): VII. Hymn. Decus morum dux minorum
Julian Von Speyer: St. Francis of Assisi Rhymed Office, Second Vespers (In Secundis Vespris): VIII. Ora pro nobis, beate Pater noster Francisce
Julian Von Speyer: St. Francis of Assisi Rhymed Office, Second Vespers (In Secundis Vespris): IX. Ant. ad Magn. O virum mirabilem and Magnificat
Julian Von Speyer: St. Francis of Assisi Rhymed Office, Second Vespers (In Secundis Vespris): X. Benedicamus Domino
Julian Von Speyer: St. Francis of Assisi Rhymed Office, other Antiphon to the Benedictus and Magnificat within the Octave and for Commemoration of St. Francis: I. Ant. ad Magn. Salve sancte Pater
Disk 3
Julian Von Speyer: St. Anthony of Padua Rhymed Office, First Vespers (In Primis Vespris): I. Deus in adiutorium meum
Julian Von Speyer: St. Anthony of Padua Rhymed Office, First Vespers (In Primis Vespris): II. Ant. Gaudeat ecclesia and Ps. 109
Julian Von Speyer: St. Anthony of Padua Rhymed Office, First Vespers (In Primis Vespris): III. Ant. Sapiente filio and Ps. 110
Julian Von Speyer: St. Anthony of Padua Rhymed Office, First Vespers (In Primis Vespris): IV. Ant. Qui, dum sapientiam and Ps. 111
Julian Von Speyer: St. Anthony of Padua Rhymed Office, First Vespers (In Primis Vespris): V. Ant. Augustini primitus and Ps. 112
Julian Von Speyer: St. Anthony of Padua Rhymed Office, First Vespers (In Primis Vespris): VI. Ant. Quorum vitam moribus and Ps. 116
Julian Von Speyer: St. Anthony of Padua Rhymed Office, First Vespers (In Primis Vespris): VII. Hymn. En gratulemur hodie
Julian Von Speyer: St. Anthony of Padua Rhymed Office, First Vespers (In Primis Vespris): VIII. Ant. ad Magn. O proles Hispaniae and Magnificat
Julian Von Speyer: St. Anthony of Padua Rhymed Office, First Vespers (In Primis Vespris): IX. Benedicamus Domino
Julian Von Speyer: St. Anthony of Padua Rhymed Office, Matins (Ad Matutinum): I. Domine labia mea aperies
Julian Von Speyer: St. Anthony of Padua Rhymed Office, Matins (Ad Matutinum): II. Ant. Iam Christum chorus humilis and Invitatorium (Ps. 94)
Julian Von Speyer: St. Anthony of Padua Rhymed Office, Matins (Ad Matutinum): III. Hymn. Laus regi plena gaudio
Julian Von Speyer: St. Anthony of Padua Rhymed Office, in First Nocturn (In Primo Nocturno): I. Ant. Quasi secus alveum and Ps. 1
Julian Von Speyer: St. Anthony of Padua Rhymed Office, in First Nocturn (In Primo Nocturno): II. Ant. Monte Syon predicat and Ps. 2
Julian Von Speyer: St. Anthony of Padua Rhymed Office, in First Nocturn (In Primo Nocturno): III. Ant. Conterit miraculis and Ps. 3
Julian Von Speyer: St. Anthony of Padua Rhymed Office, in First Nocturn (In Primo Nocturno): IV. Resp. Funditur insontium
Julian Von Speyer: St. Anthony of Padua Rhymed Office, in First Nocturn (In Primo Nocturno): V. Resp. Optans fore socius
Julian Von Speyer: St. Anthony of Padua Rhymed Office, in First Nocturn (In Primo Nocturno): VI. Resp. Fervet ad martyrium
Julian Von Speyer: St. Anthony of Padua Rhymed Office, in Second Nocturn (In Secundo Nocturno): I. Ant. Grave cor quaerentium and Ps. 4
Julian Von Speyer: St. Anthony of Padua Rhymed Office, in Second Nocturn (In Secundo Nocturno): II. Ant. Contra virum sanguinem and Ps. 5
Julian Von Speyer: St. Anthony of Padua Rhymed Office, in Second Nocturn (In Secundo Nocturno): III. Ant. Laus perfecta profluit and Ps. 8
Julian Von Speyer: St. Anthony of Padua Rhymed Office, in Second Nocturn (In Secundo Nocturno): IV. Resp. Dono sapientiae plenus
Julian Von Speyer: St. Anthony of Padua Rhymed Office, in Second Nocturn (In Secundo Nocturno): V. Resp. Pauperum collegio
Julian Von Speyer: St. Anthony of Padua Rhymed Office, in Second Nocturn (In Secundo Nocturno): Resp. In doctrinae poculis
Disk 4
Julian Von Speyer: St. Anthony of Padua Rhymed Office, in Third Nocturn (In Tertio Nocturno): I. Ant. Gaude quondam saeculi and Ps. 14
Julian Von Speyer: St. Anthony of Padua Rhymed Office, in Third Nocturn (In Tertio Nocturno): II. Ant. Nobis fac propitium and Ps. 20
Julian Von Speyer: St. Anthony of Padua Rhymed Office, in Third Nocturn (In Tertio Nocturno): III. Ant. Duc in montem Domini and Ps. 29
Julian Von Speyer: St. Anthony of Padua Rhymed Office, in Third Nocturn (In Tertio Nocturno): IV. Resp. Vitam probant
Julian Von Speyer: St. Anthony of Padua Rhymed Office, in Third Nocturn (In Tertio Nocturno): V. Resp. Si quaeris miracula
Julian Von Speyer: St. Anthony of Padua Rhymed Office, other Responsory (Aliud Responsorium): I. Resp. Sanctus hic de titulo
Julian Von Speyer: St. Anthony of Padua Rhymed Office, At Lauds (Ad Laudes): I. Deus in adiutorium meum
Julian Von Speyer: St. Anthony of Padua Rhymed Office, At Lauds (Ad Laudes): II. Ant. Domus ab Antonio and Ps. 92
Julian Von Speyer: St. Anthony of Padua Rhymed Office, At Lauds (Ad Laudes): III. Ant. Laetus tuo iubilat and Ps. 99
Julian Von Speyer: St. Anthony of Padua Rhymed Office, At Lauds (Ad Laudes): IV. Ant. Totus in te sitiens and Ps. 62
Julian Von Speyer: St. Anthony of Padua Rhymed Office, At Lauds (Ad Laudes): V. Ant. Caeli, terrae, marium and Cant. Dan.
Julian Von Speyer: St. Anthony of Padua Rhymed Office, At Lauds (Ad Laudes): VI. Ant. Sono tubae and Ps. 148
Julian Von Speyer: St. Anthony of Padua Rhymed Office, At Lauds (Ad Laudes): VII. Hymn. Iesu lux vera
Julian Von Speyer: St. Anthony of Padua Rhymed Office, At Lauds (Ad Laudes): VIII. Ant. ad Ben. Gaude, felix Padua and Benedictus Deus Israel
Julian Von Speyer: St. Anthony of Padua Rhymed Office, Second Vespers (In Secundis Vespris): I. Ant. ad Magn. O Iesu perpetua lux and Magnificat
Julian Von Speyer: St. Anthony of Padua Rhymed Office, other songs (Alius Cantus): I. Resp. Si quaeris miracula
Julian Von Speyer: St. Anthony of Padua Rhymed Office, other songs (Alius Cantus): II. Franciscan Song Sancta Maria Virgo
