Virgo splendens
Schola Magdalena's second recording was launched at the Church of St. Mary Magdalene on September 24, 2011 with a concert at 7:30 pm, followed by a reception.
To order the CD, email info@scholamagdalena.ca. Cost is $20 plus shipping and handling.
Also available via CD Baby.
O gracious light
© 2009 Stephanie Martin (0642640809928)
Gregorian Chant, medieval polyphony, and Hildegard of Bingen. Ancient, powerful and mystical music sung by women in the tonally exquisite acoustic of the historic Church of Saint Mary Magdalene, Toronto.
Available now through CD Baby.
CD Tracks
- O gracious light | Compline hymn “Phos Hilaron”
- Ave Maria
- Missa de angelis: Kyrie
- Missa de angelis: Sanctus
- Missa de angelis: Agnus Dei
- Stella splendens | Spanish pilgrim song (14th century)
- Ave maris stella | Hymn to the Virgin
- Ecce quod natura | Medieval carol
- O virtus Sapientiae | Hildegard von Bingen (1098-1179)
- Ave Regina coelorum | Guillaume Dufay (1397-1474)
- Quia ergo femina | Hildegard von Bingen
- Verbum caro factum est | Medieval carol
- Maria tocius sanctitatis (St. Birgitta of Sweden, 14th century): Antiphon & Magnificat
- Lumen ad revelationem gentium (arr. Gabrielle McLaughlin):
Antiphon & Nunc dimittis - Alleluia | Stephanie Martin (for the Sisters of St. John the Divine, Toronto)
- Before the ending of the day | Compline hymn “Te lucis ante terminum
Recording engineer: Frank Lockwood, Lockwood ARS, Toronto
Alleluia

Available for purchase at the Church of St. Mary Magdalene, or via download through CD Baby or the iTunes store.
On this CD Schola Magdalena sings Stephanie Martin's Missa Lumen, Mass for Three Voices, Alleluia, and Tantum Ergo. The Gallery Choir of the Church of St. Mary Magdalene performs the other beautiful choral works on the recording.
Recording engineer: Frank Lockwood, Lockwood ARS, Toronto
Reviews | O gracious light
"It's a treat from beginning to end." John Terauds, classical music reviewer, The Toronto Star
Read John Teraud's full post on Sound Mind: A Classical Music Blog. Click here.
"Great sound and some imaginative work with organum set this women's ensemble apart from many chant recordings. A nice mix of polyphony and Gregorian. Highly recommended to all lovers of chant and medieval polyphony." Mary Jane Ballou, Florida, via CD Baby
"Your CD is wonderful! I can't believe how beautiful you all sing. It's like listening to a band of angels." S. Gibson, Toronto
"Stephanie, thank you for the gift of that ecstatic, contemplative five-part "Alleluia" you composed and performed with your fellow singers on "O gracious light." It is an exquisite album all told, but that piece especially restoreth my soul. I've been puzzling since I first felt called to play it every single morning and every single night, why it shatters and remakes me every time I hear it. I think it shares something with Randall Thompson's "Alleluia"... I hear yours modulating in dialogue with God's love. It makes me leave myself and risk growing a little more each time I hear it. Thank you for writing it, singing it and recording it. It is a very great blessing." E. Anderson, Toronto
"Loving the CD. My favourite new unwind music!" C. Stevenson, Toronto
"Thank you again for your beautiful CD. I was playing it all last week when I was driving, and I have to tell you, I think my blood pressure dropped as soon as I heard the songs, even on the 401. That is quite a feat!" D. Paris, Toronto
Sample Tracks
O gracious light:
O Virtus Sapientiae:
