Josquin Desprez: Missa de Beata Virgine; Motets a la Vierge

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com essential recording
The Missa de Beata Virgine was Josquin's most popular and most unusual Mass. Each movement is based on a different chant and is in a different key; extra phrases of text directed to the Virgin are added to the text; the Kyrie and Gloria are for four voices, the other movements for five. Still, the flowing melody and pervasive imitation make this one of Josquin's most beautiful Masses--and it gets an altogether exemplary performance from A Sei Voci. The motets on this disc are particularly fine as well--especially the five-voice Inviolata, which places the cantus firmus in two voices in canon at the octave. The nicest surprise is Josquin's ubiquitous four-voice Ave Maria, performed here with two additional voices added by an anonymous composer. --Matthew Westphal --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Tracks:

Missa De Beata Virgine: Introit: Salve Sancta - Yves Berger/James Gowings/Bernard Fabre-Garrus
Missa De Beata Virgine: Kyrie: Kyrie Eleison - A Sei Voci/Bernard Fabre-Garrus
Missa De Beata Virgine: Kyrie: Christe Eleison - Jean-Louis Comoretto/Thierry Brehu/Jean-Marie Puissant/Jean-Francois Chiama/James Gowings...
Missa De Beata Virgine: Kyrie: Kyrie Eleison - A Sei Voci/Bernard Fabre-Garrus
Missa De Beata Virgine: Gloria: Gloria In Excelcis Deo, Et In Terra Pax - Thierry Brehu
Missa De Beata Virgine: Gloria: Qui Tollis Peccata Mundi - Thierry Brehu
Missa De Beata Virgine: Gloria: Cum Sancto Spiritu In Glorio Dei Patris - Thierry Brehu
Missa De Beata Virgine: Credo: Patrem Omnipotentem - Thierry Brehu
Missa De Beata Virgine: Credo: Crucifixus Etiam Pro Nobis Sub Pontio - Thierry Brehu
Missa De Beata Virgine: Credo: Et In Spiritum Sanctum - Thierry Brehu
Missa De Beata Virgine: Offertoire: Ave Maria Gratia - Raoul Le Chenadec/Thierry Brehu/Jean-Francois Chiama/Jean-Marie Puissant
Missa De Beata Virgine: Sanctus: Sanctus - A Sei Voci/Bernard Fabre-Garrus
Missa De Beata Virgine: Sanctus: Pleni Sunt Caeli - A Sei Voci/Bernard Fabre-Garrus
Missa De Beata Virgine: Sanctus: Hosanna In Excelsis - A Sei Voci/Bernard Fabre-Garrus
Missa De Beata Virgine: Benedictus: Benedictus Qui Venit In Nomine Domini - Catherine Padaut/Catherine Jousselin/Jean-Louis Comoretto/Raoul Le Chenadec/Thierry Brehu...
Missa De Beata Virgine: Benedictus: Hosanna In Excelsis - A Sei Voci/Bernard Fabre-Garrus
Missa De Beata Virgine: Agnus Dei I - A Sei Voci/Bernard Fabre-Garrus
Missa De Beata Virgine: Agnus Dei II - Thierry Brehu/Jean-Francois Chiama/Jean-Marie Puissant/James Gowings/Bernard Fabre-Garrus...
Missa De Beata Virgine: Agnus Dei III - A Sei Voci/Bernard Fabre-Garrus
Motets A La Vierge: O Virgo Prudentissima: Prima Pars - Catherine Padaut/Catherine Jousselin/Jean-Louis Comoretto/Raoul Le Chenadec/Thierry Brehu...
Motets A La Vierge: O Virgo Prudentissima: Secunda Pars - Catherine Padaut/Catherine Jousselin/Jean-Louis Comoretto/Raoul Le Chenadec/Thierry Brehu...
Motets A La Vierge: Stabat Mater Dolorosa: Prima Pars - Catherine Padaut/Catherine Jousselin/Thierry Brehu/Jean-Louis Comoretto/Raoul Le Chenadec...
Motets A La Vierge: Stabat Mater Dolorosa: Secunda Pars - Catherine Padaut/Catherine Jousselin/Thierry Brehu/Jean-Louis Comoretto/Raoul Le Chenadec...
Motets A La Vierge: Ava Maria - Catherine Padaut/Catherine Jousselin/Jean Louis Comoretto/Thierry Brehu/Jean-Francois Chiama...
Motets A La Vierge: Inviolata, Integra Est Casta Es Maria: Prima Pars - Raoul Le Chenadec/Thierry Brehu/Jean Francois Chiama/James Gowings/Bernard Fabre-Garrus...
Motets A La Vierge: Inviolata, Integra Est Casta Es Maria: Secunda Pars - Raoul Le Chenadec/Thierry Brehu/Jean Francois Chiama/James Gowings/Bernard Fabre-Garrus...
Motets A La Vierge: Inviolata, Integra Est Casta Es Maria: Tertia Pars - Raoul Le Chenadec/Thierry Brehu/Jean Francois Chiama/James Gowings/Bernard Fabre-Garrus...
Motets A La Vierge: Tu Solus: Prima Pars - Raoul Le Chenadec/Thierry Brehu/James Gowings/Bernard Fabre-Garrus
Motets A La Vierge: Tu Solus: Secunda Pars - Raoul Le Chenadec/Thierry Brehu/James Gowings/Bernard Fabre-Garrus

Amazon.com essential recording

The Missa de Beata Virgine was Josquin's most popular and most unusual Mass. Each movement is based on a different chant and is in a different key; extra phrases of text directed to the Virgin are added to the text; the Kyrie and Gloria are for four voices, the other movements for five. Still, the flowing melody and pervasive imitation make this one of Josquin's most beautiful Masses--and it gets an altogether exemplary performance from A Sei Voci. The motets on this disc are particularly fine as well--especially the five-voice Inviolata, which places the cantus firmus in two voices in canon at the octave. The nicest surprise is Josquin's ubiquitous four-voice Ave Maria, performed here with two additional voices added by an anonymous composer. --Matthew Westphal

Customer Reviews:

Brings me to tears.......2007-03-20

This must be what heaven is like. The mass is fantasitic, and the 6 voice arrangement of Ave Maria in the motets is the best version I have heard (I have listened to many). In short, absolutely stunning music and impeccably sung by A Sei Voci - they are now on my short list of great performers. I want this played at my funeral.

Absolutely Beautiful.......2000-12-08

I became acquainted with Desprez' 'Missa de Beata Virgine' after singing it with my choral group. I found it so stunningly beautiful that I had to have a recording of it, and I found two: this one, and another by Theater of Voices, with Hillier as director. Both are lovely, but this one is by far my favorite of the two.

This is a recording that would make Josquin proud. A Sei Voci performs Josquin's most beautiful Missa with clarity and a haunting expressiveness that feels quite spiritual (as it should). The intricate harmonies and rythms are perfectly executed, and the singers have clear and beautiful voices. This is about as flawless as a performance as you can achieve with this music--simply wonderful. The selection of motets on this recording is also stunning and I have enjoyed becoming acquainted with them. Sometimes I find myself truly amazed at the depth of beauty in the music this composer was able to imagine. The experience of singing it has been one of the highlights of both my musical and personal life.

If you are not familiar with Desprez' music, a purchase of this CD will make you a serious fan. Of the hundreds of CDs I own, this is one of my genuine favorites. I recommend it without reservation to anyone who likes the music of Desprez, the sound of small vocal ensemble, or who appreciates beautiful music.

Josquin Desprez: Missa de Beata Virgine; Motets a la Vierge
Average customer rating:
Josquin Desprez: Missa de Beata Virgine; Motets a la Vierge

Manufacturer: Astree
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Masses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Motets | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0000DET9B
Release Date: 1995-01-01