Bohemia mediaevalis

Czech sacred songs of the Middle Ages

Schola Gregoriana Pragensis (Czech Republic)
David Eben – artistic director

Thursday 29 July 2004, 7.30 pm
St George Basilica, Pražský hrad, Praha 1

The programme of the concert entitled Bohemia medievalis concentrated on the repertoire that mirrored the identity of the local tradition of liturgical chants. Schola Gregoriana Pragensis performed chants dedicated to the Czech saints St. Wenceslas, St. Adalbert and St. Ludmilla who enjoyed great respect in Bohemia. Those present in the Basilica of St George at Prague Castle could also admire the purity of sound of the repertoire connected with Mariolatry known in Bohemia since the 14^th century. King Charles IV and the Prague archbishop Arnošt from Pardubice were also devout Maria worshippers. The late medieval tradition of celebrating the festival of Corpus Christi, the main theme of which was the veneration paid to the Eucharist, was revived in some of the chants sung in the programme.