Edda - Myths from mediaeval Iceland torrent

Sequentia here performs a miracle of musical restoration, bringing to vibrant life medieval Icelandic texts about gods and heroes inhabiting a mythic past. Drawing on oral traditions and informed scholarly speculations about long-dead performing styles, they have come up with a hypnotic disc that startles with its power and beauties. The songs and recitations are interwoven with captivating fiddle tunes, and the singers wrench surprising emotions from the old texts. The late Barbara Thornton shines in her solos and duets, and Benjamin Bagby's mesmerizing chanting, recitation, and singing brings us as close as we're likely to get to sitting at the feet of the bards of old. An extraordinary disc that shouldn't be missed. [--Dan Davis]


Leikr elds ok ísa (The song of Fire and Ice)
Composed by Icelandic Anonymous
with Cologne Sequentia Ensemble for Medieval Music

Hangakvæði Hávamála (Óðinn's Rune-verses) ("Veit ek at ek hekk")
Composed by Icelandic Anonymous
with Cologne Sequentia Ensemble for Medieval Music

Voluspá 1(The Prophecy of the Seeress) ("Hlióðs bið ek allar") Hlióðs bið ek allar
Composed by Icelandic Anonymous
with Cologne Sequentia Ensemble for Medieval Music

Þrymskviða (The Tale of Þrymr) ("Vreiðr var pá Ving-Pórr")
Composed by Icelandic Anonymous
with Cologne Sequentia Ensemble for Medieval Music

Grottasongr (The Song of the Mill) ("Nú erum komnar")
Composed by Icelandic Anonymous
with Cologne Sequentia Ensemble for Medieval Music

Baldrs minni (In Memory of Baldr)
Composed by Icelandic Anonymous
with Cologne Sequentia Ensemble for Medieval Music

Baldrs draumar (Baldr's Dreams) ("Senn vóru æsir allir á pingi")
Composed by Icelandic Anonymous
with Cologne Sequentia Ensemble for Medieval Music

Voluspá 2 (The Prophecy of the Seeress) ("Þat man hón fólkvíg")
Composed by Icelandic Anonymous
with Cologne Sequentia Ensemble for Medieval Music

Ragnarok (The End of the Gods)
Composed by Icelandic Anonymous
with Cologne Sequentia Ensemble for Medieval Music

Voluspá 3 (The Prophecy of the Seeress) ("Á fellr austan um eitrdala")
Composed by Icelandic Anonymous
with Cologne Sequentia Ensemble for Medieval Music