Performers: Superius: Barbara Borden, Annemie Buyle, Cathérine Joussellin, Uta Kirsten-Went, Marie-Claude Vallin, Dineke van der Sman, Ellen van Ham, Francisca Van Herle, Lize van Jaarsfeld, Els Van Laethem, Machteld van Woerden; Altus: Peter de Groot, Irene Heuvelmans, Brigitte Le Baron, Cecilia Roovers, Consuelo Sanudo, Arno Tabertshofer; Tenor: Christopher Kale, Lucien Kandel, Eric Mentzel, Philip Pooley, Jasper Schweppe, Eitan Sorek, Lieven Termont, Marius van Altena, Harry van Berne, Marc Van Daele, Stéphane van Dijck, Ibo van Ingen, Sjef van Leunen, Matthew Vine, John Vredeveldt; Bassus: Conor Biggs, Job Boswinkel, Willem Ceuleers, Lieven Deroo, Herman De Winné, Erik Hermans, Paul Mertens, Mitchell Sandler, Dirk Snellings, Dirk Van Croonenborch, Harry van der Kamp
Playing time: 53'
Recording date: September 1994 (Gent, Belgium); released: 1995
Excerpts:
[4] Sony Classical 82876-82812-2 [CD]
Da Vinci: Music from his time
Compilation:
Sony Classic SBG 7478442 [CDx15] A secret
Labyrinth
This recording features several of the largest scale (by number of parts) compositions of the Renaissance. Of course, Tallis' 40-part motet is the best-known. Alessandro Striggio (c.1535-1592) was apparently the inspiration for Tallis' 40-part motet, bringing his own such piece to England in 1567. Tallis was prompted to compose an English "reply."
The Huelgas Ensemble uncharacteristically performs all of these pieces without instrumental support, and indeed sings them standing in a circle. The effect can be very pleasing over good audio equipment.
The logical "next volume" of the present production:
Costanzo Porta (c.1529-1601) left a huge body of music, written largely in the style of Costanzo Festa (c.1490-1545). The selected excerpts are from his Missa Ducalis.
A recording devoted to Porta:
The more modest 6-part motet of Pierre de Manchicourt (c.1510-1564) is recorded with two singers to a part.
Of course, Josquin, Ockeghem & Gabrieli are well-known. Josquin's motet is a setting of Psalm 90, and rather unique in his output. The 36-voice Deo gratias attributed to Ockeghem is actually a strict canon; whereas the attribution does date to the Renaissance itself, it remains highly dubious.
Another recording of large-scale Renaissance vocal music by the present ensemble:
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Todd M. McComb