4/5
Review:
A welcome introduction
This is a good recording of music which was quite unknown to me. Anchieta was a Basque composer who became an integral part of the Castillian court in the early 16th Century, and I am glad to have made his acquaintance. The music is good and it is well performed here.
The programme consists of a reconstruction of a mass and settings of texts for Vespers (which include three movements by two other contemporary composers). Josep Cabré has recorded them with his choir and a consort of contemporary instruments, including organ, which accompanies throughout in various combinations and also plays a couple of very enjoyable instrumental interludes. Both choir and instrumentalists are technically very good, although I did find the choir a little lacking in engagement with the text at times, so that a sense of spirituality wasn't always present.
This is purely a matter of personal taste, but I find this approach with unbroken instrumental accompaniment less involving than an a cappella performance at least in part. Also, the music is good, but Anchieta was no Josquin, and these things meant that the overall effect for me becomes just a little samey and repetitive. Nonetheless, it is good to have this repertoire available and, especially in smaller doses, this is an enjoyable, well performed and recorded disc which I can recommend.
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