A Balm: The San Antonio Vocal Arts Ensemble (SAVAE) and "Salve"

Our random song is by the San Antonio Vocal Arts Ensemble (SAVAE), a unique ancient vocal music ensemble that is accompanied by early and traditional instrumentation. They made their debut in 1989 presenting Latin music from the colonial period. Its artistic director, Christopher Moroney, has penned arrangements and new compositions for the group by delving into ancient history and cultures. The group has been featured on national radio shows and has toured the United States and around the world. This song, Salve (very appropriate for a Sunday), can be found on their 2000 album El Milagro de Guadalupe, and on their 2010 album Songs of Mary.

Seeking the Heavenly: Richard Souther with Hildegard von Bingen's "Divine Love (Karitas Habundat)"

Today's random tune is by Richard Souther reinterpreting the work of Hildegard von Bingen. Richard Souther is a composer, producer, arranger, sound designer and multi-keyboardist working in the areas of New Age, smooth jazz and contemporary Christian music. A child prodigy who studied piano from the age of three, he eventuall became an in-demand session musician until his career was almost derailed by a near-fatal bout of botulism. During his four year recovery, he began to delve into electronic music. In 1994, he recorded his groundbreaking album Vision: The Music of Hildegard von Bingen with vocalists Emily van Evera and Sr. Germaine Fritz, OSB. Von Bingen was a German 12th century writer, composer, philosopher, Christian mystic, Benedictine abbess, visionary, and polymath who created one of the largest repertoires of any mediaeval composer and who stretched the boundaries of traditional monastic chant. Her music frequently had themes centering around the Virgin Mary, the heavenly in earthly life, and a desire to know the divine. This song, Divine Love (Karias Habundat), can be found on Souther's 1994 album Vision: The Music of Hildegard von Bingen.

Throw-Wayyyy-Back Thursday: San Antonio Vocal Arts Ensemble (SAVAE) and "Esta es Cena de Amor Llena"

A real blast from the past is in today's random tune fitting with Throwback Thursday. The San Antonio Vocal Arts Ensemble (SAVAE) went back to colonial Mexico. This tune, Esta es Cena de Amor Llena, was written by Tomás Pascual in the 16th century. The lyrics refer to the Mass:

This is a supper full of love,

this is a supper of love.

When we are in this supper there is love,

and it is love that He has ordained as a great glory.

Since such a supper has been created

it has been maintained for all.

This alone unites us

because it includes His essence. 

SAVAE is a unique ancient vocal music ensemble that is accompanied by early and traditional instrumentation. They made their debut in 1989 presenting Latin music from the colonial period. Its artistic director, Christopher Moroney, has penned arrangements and new compositions for the group, that has involved delving into ancient history and cultures. The group has been featured on national radio shows and has toured the United States and around the world. Esta es Cena de Amor Llena can be found on their 2000 album El Milagro de Guadalupe.