Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, Vol. 9

by The Sixteen, Harry Christophers

Overview

The large Palestrina series undertaken by The Sixteen and its director, Harry Christophers, is useful; few of the pieces are receiving world premieres, but a systematic exploration of a substantial body of Palestrina's music is not so common. He tends to be known for a relatively small number of hits. Moreover, it is heartening somehow; The Sixteen have undertaken increasingly adventurous programming, but here, they return to their roots in 16th century sacred polyphony. Here, The Sixteen are actually "The Twenty" for much of the program. The performances are all to a high standard, and the sonic environment of St. Augustine's Church, Kilburn, London, is ideal, which leaves the music itself. It is a bit atypical for Palestrina, which might not commend the album to series newcomers, but which may well fascinate those deeply engaged with Palestrina. The opening work, and really the centerpiece, is the Missa ut re mi fa sol la, otherwise known as the Hexachord Mass. This is a cantus firmus mass, an old-fashioned form by Palestrina's time, and the cantus firmus, a six-note rising scale, was one cultivated by many other composers as an exercise or a kind of tradition. It is music in which the "bones" are unusually exposed for Palestrina. Sample the Benedictus for an idea. There are also motets, many of them on the subjects of St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist, and there is a lovely trio of settings from the Song of Songs. Beautifully executed as usual, this is a release that exposes new sides of Palestrina's music. ~ James Manheim

Product Details

Release Date:	06/02/2023
Label:	Coro
UPC:	0828021619724
Rank:	117689

Tracks

1. Missa Ut Re Mi Fa Sol La (Hexachord Mass)~Kyrie
2. Missa Ut Re Mi Fa Sol La (Hexachord Mass)~Gloria
3. Missa Ut Re Mi Fa Sol La (Hexachord Mass)~Credo
4. Missa Ut Re Mi Fa Sol La (Hexachord Mass)~Sanctus
5. Missa Ut Re Mi Fa Sol La (Hexachord Mass)~Benedictus
6. Missa Ut Re Mi Fa Sol La (Hexachord Mass)~Agnus Dei I
7. Missa Ut Re Mi Fa Sol La (Hexachord Mass)~Agnus Dei II
8. Fuit homo missus a Deo
9. Puer qui natus est
10. Iustus ut palma
11. Misso Herodes
12. Ut queant laxis
13. Pulchra es, amica mea
14. Quae est ista, quae progreditur
15. Descendi in hortum meum
16. Hic est beatissimus Evangelista
17. Valde honorandus est
18. Hic est discipulus ille

Album Credits

Performance Credits

The Sixteen   Primary Artist,Choir/Chorus
Harry Christophers   Primary Artist,Conductor

Technical Credits

Mike Hatch   Engineer
Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina   Composer
Roberto Battista   Liner Note Translation
Martyn Imrie   Liner Notes
Mark Brown   Recording Producer
Andrew Giles   Design
Harry Christophers   Liner Notes
Marco Borggreve   Photography