Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

The 'Geese Book' is the closest any of us will get to a time machine as it can take us on a fascinating journey back to the past. The book itself has 1120 pages and preserves the music of one of the most prominent city parish churches in the Holy Roman Empire. Along with the music the book has many detailed illuminations, often including narrative scenes where animals act as people, particularly musicians. Thus we get the popular name of the 'Geese Book' from an illumination of the Feast Of The Ascension showing a choir of geese directed by a wolf dressed as a cantor. The book is now in New York but much can be viewed by visiting www.public.asu.edu/~cschleif . The CD presents selected chants from feast days of particular significance to the church of St Lorenz and to the city of Nuremberg, interspersed by some delightful organ music by South German and Nuremberg composers, played by Matthias Ank. The closing track segues into the sound of the bells of St Lorenz, a wonderfully evocative moment. Much of the music has never before been recorded and anyone with an interest in history or in early music will enjoy this release.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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