Performers: Raoul Le Chenadec (countertenor), Thierry Brehu (tenor), Serge Goubioud (tenor), Lucien Kandel (tenor), Nicolas Maire (tenor), Eric Raffard (tenor), James Gowings (bass), Jean-Louis Georgel (bass), Jean-Louis Paya (bass); Pascaline Baguenier, Quentin Boucherie, Vanessa Berrué Emmanuelle Bouyer, Céline Delanoe, Ludovic Grandière, Anne Lafhille, Flore Lenoir, Gwenola Maheux, Audrey Payet, Matthieu Roger, Thomas Roger, Mélaine Vignal (choir), Bertrand Lemaire (direction of chant)
Playing time: 70'
Recording date: April 1999 (Church of Saint Robert, Corrèze)
Compilation:
Astrée (Naïve) E 8871 [CDx4]
Renaissance
The Missa Pange Lingua is believed to be Josquin's last setting, and has become his most popular today. It is, in many ways, his closest to the plainchant on which it is based, showing less artifice than some settings and a general gravity. It is overwhelmingly in four parts, with some duet sections which have become justifiably famous. The overall emphasis on homophonic texture rather than more freely ranging polyphony also serves to make this mass evocative of the later developments of Palestrina et al.
Other recent recordings of this, Josquin's best-represented mass:
The present notes suggest that Josquin's real family name may have been Lebloitte, an interesting suggestion, and certainly one reason we tend to favor the "Josquin" name in designating the composer. Track #12 is a questionable attribution.
This recordings marks the fifth in a planned complete cycle of Josquin's masses by the present ensemble. One notable feature of the cycle is that different issues have featured different supporting casts and consequently sonorities. The other volumes:
For a much longer listing of recordings including Josquin in one way or another, see the developing Josquin discography. The present mass has been recorded at least since the 40s.
To purchasing information for this disc.
To FAQ references to this recording.
To FAQ CD index page.
Todd M. McComb