Dufay: Mass for St. Anthony of Padua / Pomerium

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
The works of the 15th-century composer Guillaume Dufay are often considered to be where medieval music ends and Renaissance music begins. Yet Dufay sounds quite different from later, better-known Renaissance composers such as Palestrina, Victoria, and Josquin: Dufay's music is less densely scored, with more stratified voice ranges, very complex rhythms, and a somewhat neutral emotional affect. Pomerium, a New York-based choir with extensive experience in Dufay, presents here one of the composer's largest works: a setting of both the ordinary (Kyrie, Gloria, etc.) and the propers (texts specific to the occasion) of the Mass for the feast of St. Anthony of Padua. Pomerium's polished performance makes this a fine addition to the Dufay discography. --Matthew Westphal

Tracks:

Sanctus (Missa pro defunctis)
Sanctus (Mass For St. Anthony Of Padua)
Sanctus (Missa 'Aeterna Christi munera')
Sanctus (Missa 'Dum complerentur')
Sanctus (Mass For Three Voices)
Sanctus (Missa 'Tu es Petrus')
Sanctus (Missa 'Vidi speriosam')
Sanctus (Missa 'Papae Marcelli')
Sanctus (Missa 'L'homme arme')
Sanctus (Missa 'Mille regretz')
Sanctus (Missa 'L'homme arme super voces musicales')
Sanctus (Missa 'Hodie Christus natus est')
Sanctus (Missa 'In illo tempore')

Customer Reviews:

Excellent and Beautiful Music, Truly.......2000-07-16

Despite the absolute beauty and sublime texture of most of the tracks, a few of the longer pieces tend to drag on the ears as they progress.

That said, I will reiterate that the majority of songs on this CD are magnificent and merit the purchase of this disc. Of particular interest are Tracks 1 and 8. Victoria (Vittoria) has always been my favorite composer of mysteries, motets and such, and the Sanctus from Missa pro Defunctis is one of the most emotional, deeply spiritual and reflective, almost pensive, peices of his I've heard.

Palestrina, not to be outdone, and in stark contrast to Victoria, provides a joyous, light but no less sacred peices.

Tracks:

Introitus: In medio ecclesie
Kyrie
Gloria
Graduale: Os iusti
Allelulia: Antoni, compar inclite
Credo
Offertorium: Veritas mea
Sanctus
Agnus Dei
Communio: Domine, quinque talenta
Hymnus: Veni creator spiritus

Amazon.com

The works of the 15th-century composer Guillaume Dufay are often considered to be where medieval music ends and Renaissance music begins. Yet Dufay sounds quite different from later, better-known Renaissance composers such as Palestrina, Victoria, and Josquin: Dufay's music is less densely scored, with more stratified voice ranges, very complex rhythms, and a somewhat neutral emotional affect. Pomerium, a New York-based choir with extensive experience in Dufay, presents here one of the composer's largest works: a setting of both the ordinary (Kyrie, Gloria, etc.) and the propers (texts specific to the occasion) of the Mass for the feast of St. Anthony of Padua. Pomerium's polished performance makes this a fine addition to the Dufay discography. --Matthew Westphal

Customer Reviews:

Excellent Complete Early Music Mass.......2005-12-11

This 'Mass for St. Anthony of Padua' by Guillaume DuFay performed by Pomerium, directed by Alexander Blachly is the first, but not the only recording of this work and I have not heard the alternate recording. But, as performances of early music goes, this recording is a winner for me and it will probably please any other novice fan of early vocal liturgical music.

Unlike so much music from earlier centuries, this is a complete mass, with all the expected pieces in place such as the Introit, Kyrie, Gloria, Gradula, Alleluia, Credo, Offertorium, Sanctus, Agnus Dei and Communio. This could be performed in my Lutheran church and not be out of place, except for the Latin.

The performance is an excellent mix of both male and female choral works, where the two ranges are often performing together.

Of all the old music I have reviewed from my amateur point of view, this is one of the most enjoyable to hear.

Outstanding.......2005-07-07

This recording is one of the most wonderful early music renderings I've ever known. Dr. Blachly's editing and interpretation of the Mass is one of the finest examples of choral representation ever performed. Pomerium sings each passage with a pure and flawless sound that makes this chorus a true unified group and not a conglomeration of would be soloists. To often early music is sung as if it were a long lost Verdi or Wagnerian Opera; the major dynamic is loud with a little bit of louder in the middle. For most groups of this type the voices have so much vibrato that one can't even tell what note is being sung much less what mode in which the piece is being sung. These flaws are all absent from the Dufay Mass in this recording. The first passage of In Medio moves without being rushed but still maintains a wonderful pace, the voices blend with perfect balance and yet each one is present and clear with an amazing musicality that draws the listener in. I must say that after the first track the Agnus Dei is probably my most favourite of passages. The voices sound like 1 person singing 3 parts with a single sound. I congratulate the members and director of Pomerium and say in accord with all your fans: Please give us more . . . . Bravo, Encore, Encore.

Hurray for Dufay.......2000-11-20

Pomerium is an outstanding ensemble and this is one of their best discs. I highly recommend this beautiful work to all who enjoy classical vocal music. Nothing beats hearing them live, but this comes close. Alexander Blachly directs this group with great skill.

Beautiful, but .........2000-10-16

More than 500 years ago, this beautiful music was composed by Dufay. However, this mass was completely forgotten for half a millenium, and recently discovered. Pomerium recorded this CD for the first time in history. Beautiful, relaxation. In Japan, when released, this CD was one of the best sold CD among 'all the classical CDs'! Nevertheless, I prefer Kirkman's to this Pomerium's. This is because Pomerium's is made in America, which was not discovered when this mass was composed.

PAZ PARA EL ALMA........2000-04-10

Esta Misa es la primera obra que escucho de Dufay. Qué experiencia más grandiosa, la Misa proporciona una paz espiritual sublime. Cuando compré este disco jamás me hubiera imaginado que me hubiera causado una impresión tan profunda. El compositor Flamenco (Holandés) Duflay (músico y sacerdote), que nació a fines del Siglo 14 y es llamado "EL MOZART DEL SIGLO 15 ". Yo antes de conocer a Duflay, pensaba que los primeros maestros polifónicos de primer nivel eran Monteverdi y Palestrina, qué grande fue mi sorpresa al oír a un compositor que un siglo antes ya hacia música polifónica de tan belleza!

La interpretación de Pomerium es inspirada con un nivel de profundidad y religiosidad extraordinarias.

Tracks:

Des Prez: Motet-Praeter rerum seriem - Gabrieli Consort & Players/Paul McCreesh
Gregorian chant: Introit - Gabrieli Consort & Players/Paul McCreesh
Mass 'Hodie Christus natus est': Sanctus - Gabrieli Consort & Players/Paul McCreesh
Mass 'Hodie Christus natus est': Agnus dei - Gabrieli Consort & Players/Paul McCreesh
O magnum mysterium - Gabrieli Consort & Players/Paul McCreesh
Motet-Nuper rosarum flores - Pomerium/Alexander Blachly
Mass 'De plus en plus': Kyrie - Orlando Consort
Mass 'De plus en plus': Sanctus - Orlando Consort
Mass for St. Anthony of Padua: Kyrie - Pomerium/Alexander Blachly
Mass for St. Anthony of Padua: Agnus Dei - Pomerium/Alexander Blachly
Domine Deus meus a 6 - Gabrieli Consort & Players/Paul McCreesh
Mass 'In illo tempore': Sanctus - Regensburger Domspatzen/Hanns-Martin Schneidt
Miserere - Chor of Westminster Abbey/Simon Preston

Track Listings:

Track Listings

track listings

Track Listings

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C.P.E. Bach: Concertos (3) for flute and orchestra

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Up City

Vol. 3-from the Earth to the Spheres [Import]

Bridge to a Legacy

Classic Disney, Vol. 4 [Import]

Canatas & Duets

Cowboy Classics: Playing Favorites II

And Then Some

Born [Import]

Burn It Black [Import]

Box Dance Hits 2000 [Limited Edition] [Import]

All Of My Life

Pres De Paris