Anonymous 4
 

Anonymous 4


They are a quartet of women who sing a cappella medieval chant and polyphony. (in Latin!) Not in the style of Enigma, but authentic reproductions (we can only assume, as no one alive has heard them originally performed!) of the period pieces, as they would have been performed in medieval times had women been allowed to sing/perform at mass.

Here's a quote from their website about my personal favorite A4 release:

"Anonymous 4 revisits the original "millennium madness" with a disc of chant from around the year 1000--specifically, a Mass for the Feast of the Ascension ...", "This is the oldest written Western music to have survived, and it's difficult even to decipher (the original notation has no staff lines or clear indications of rhythm), let alone perform."

Soothing, mysterious, and regal without sounding too church-ey.

I'm certain there is nothing else like them. They have several albums, the last two being a shift toward American folk, but still sung in polyphony and with that same A4 treatment.

Anyone hear of them?

Actually yes, they'll be performing at the University of Hawaii's Orvis Auditorium on Feb. 23 as part of the Honolulu Chamber Music Series. Unfortunately I'll be on the mainland this coming weekend so I'll miss it. It looked interesting though.

They are also coming to Madison Wisconsin on April 10th. Although these days they seem to be doing more of an Anglo-American sound.