Heinrich & Kunigunde

Emperor Heinrich II and his wife Cunigunde of Luxembourg were an extraordinary Imperial couple. Henry was canonized in 1146, Cunigunde in 1200. Both were revered as saints in the Middle Ages. Bavarian Duke Heinrich II was crowned German king in Mainz Cathedral on June 7, 1002 (Coronation as emperor 1014). The first album in this set presents a selection of Gregorian chants from the coronation ceremony and the subsequent coronation mass. In 1288 the "Nova Historia Kunegundis" was written and set to late Gregorian Style music in order to celebrate the feast days of St. Cunigunde with specific texts and melodies. You can hear the evening songs of the Vespers as well as those for the night- the first and second nocturns.