Rating: 5/5
Review:
Still a very fine recording
Originally recorded in 1993, this remains a very fine
disc.
The programme is excellent: one of Josquin's great mass
settings, interspersed with motets by Jean Mouton. The disc opens with Mouton's best-known work,
the sublime Nesciens mater, and his other pieces here are also very
beautiful. Josquin's mass is, of course,
magnificent. He was among the very
greatest Renaissance composers (arguably the greatest) and this setting is a
wonderful example of the power, beauty and stunning musical architecture of his
work.
I love this performance; Paul Hillier is a superb
interpreter of this repertoire and he brings a beautiful, full and rich sound
from his ensemble. They are technically
excellent and they engage fully with what they are singing so the meaning and
depth is all there. The resonant
acoustic sacrifices a little clarity of line to warmth of sound, but not enough
to interfere with the music, and the overall effect is very lovely and
genuinely moving in places.
Even after almost 25 years, this is still a performance
which stands well among many excellent Josquin recordings since, and I can
recommend it very warmly.
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