Listening to Sequentia is like stepping through a temporal rift into a world of cold stone, flickering candlelight, and profound spiritual focus. Their sound is defined by an uncompromising commitment to medieval authenticity, stripping away centuries of musical artifice to reveal the raw, monophonic beauty of the Middle Ages. It is music that breathes with the rhythm of ancient rituals, where the human voice is the primary vessel for both divine praise and epic storytelling.
What sets them apart is their rigorous scholarly approach combined with a dramatic, almost theatrical sensibility. Whether they are performing the visionary chants of Hildegard von Bingen or the rugged myths of the Icelandic Edda, there is a palpable sense of weight and history in every note. The use of period-accurate instruments like the medieval harp provides a sparse, skeletal framework that allows the intricate vocal lines to soar and shimmer within the natural reverb of sacred spaces.
Start with 'Hildegard von Bingen: Canticles of Ecstasy' to experience the heights of medieval mysticism, or 'Edda: Myths from Medieval Iceland' for a more grounded, narrative journey into Norse folklore. This is essential listening for anyone seeking music that functions as a sanctuary from the noise of the modern world.
Sequentia is an early music ensemble, founded in 1977 by Benjamin Bagby and Barbara Thornton. The group specializes mainly in Medieval music. Sequentia focuses particularly on music with texts, specifically chants and other stories with music, such as the Icelandic Edda. They are interested in the interplay between drama and music, and sometimes do partially staged performances, such as that of Hildegard of Bingen's Ordo Virtutum. Bagby and Thornton have both been active in original research on the projects they perform.
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