VOX

Medieval Electronic Music In Authentic Performance" The incorporation of electronic music for the interpretation of Hildegard´s songs is a symbol of MUSICA MUNDANA, the cosmological music which contained the harmony of the elements, of the spheres and of the seasons. Whereas our perceptive faculties extend at most to the harmony of the instruments, and the harmony between intellect and soul, that of Middle Ages man was a much more sensitive one and more integral.

He heard what he felt, smelled, knew and saw. For instance when he saw the wide open jaws of a stone demon statue above a gate, he felt with his senses that it was shouting. With augmentation of the authentic range of instruments and the true text vocal practice by computer-acoustic style means, the VOX group intends to achieve this hearing which can no longer be captured with our senses. It thus paints for the present day the picture of a sensitive whole of the visionary, apocalyptic and mystical music of Hildegard. The electronic arrangements and recordings were effected by KRISTIAN SCHULTZE.

VOX, owned, produced and directed by VLADIMIR IVANOFF, is a group of musicians who have dedicated themselves to the significance of Early Music for our times. The interpretation of medieval music by VOX is a game with various levels of performance. Vox is crossing the borders of traditional historical performance by incorporating today's means in order to give the listener a more intensive appreciation of medieval music, to exemplify the dimensions of historical estrangement and to give medieval music a sensual quality beyond simple exotic interest.

Computer acoustics, experiments with electronic soundscapes, live electronics and possibilities of digital sound-shaping are symbols of the musica mundana and allow us to experience the visionary character of medieval music. The music of VOX mirrors the soul of the Occident. It is a fascinating journey into our own past.

Press reviews

"A fascinating combination of sound, which does not question either past or present but seduces the listener with its clear beauty.“ - Frankfurter Rundschau

"Vox has handled this project very tastefully and the end result is a consistently classy production. Each song uses different and interesting soundstaging techniques.“ - the absolute sound / The High End Journal 11/91

"Producer/Arranger Vladimir Ivanoff maintains the purity and mysticism of the original hymns, but brings them into a virtual cathedral.“ - John Diliberto / Echoes, 1994