The vocal works on this recording would hardly have been sung by the pilgrims en route, but instead in the large cathedrals situated along the Camino to Santiago de Compostela. As a result, this repertoire is more an expression of sophisticated choral culture and less a reflection of the needs of individual pilgrims and is more at home within a liturgical setting rather than in the pilgrims’ hostels. The high quality of the music shows the standing of St James for the believers in Europe over the last 1000 years. The Schola Bamberg was founded in 2002 for the performance of special projects at Bamberg Cathedral, one of the most famous Romanic Cathedrals in Germany. The choir comprises of singers who pursue careers both as soloists in their own right and as members of renowned European vocal ensembles, such as the Collegium Vocale Gent or Singer Pur. It is directed by Domkapellmeister Werner Pees who has himself followed the pilgrimage route to Santiago several times.
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