Laus Angelica ─ Poetry in the Medieval Mass

Medieval liturgy is a study that even medievalists tend to avoid as uninspiring. Iversen (Institute for Classical Languages, Stockholm University) challenges that idea in her celebration of the tropes, antiphons and sequences that individual writers and composers added to the Mass from the tenth through the twelfth centuries. She clearly explains the form of these additions and their use. Beyond this, Iversen steps into the minds of these authors, considering how they perceived the liturgy as a gateway to a union with the divine. This is particularly evident in her chapter on the sequences for the Alleluia. She treats each section of the Mass in separate chapters as well as discussing the rise of Marian devotion in the tropes. The unique poetry and music of Hildegarde of Bingen is also given its own chapter. What distinguishes this work from other explanations of liturgical variation is the fine writing (and excellent translation) that projects the deep religious feeling and joy in the texts of the medieval authors. With many illustrations and examples in Latin with English translations, this provides a good introduction to liturgical variations and to monastic thought. Annotation c2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)