Juan Garcia De Salazar - Complete Vespers Of Our Lady
STYLE: Choral RATING OUR PRODUCT CODE: 12372- LABEL: Naxos 8555907 FORMAT: CD Album ITEMS: 1 RRP: £4.99
Reviewed by Steven Whitehead
Confessions of a reviewer: I listened to this all the way through during a car journey. The CD lasts for 70 minutes during which time I managed less than 30 miles. I enjoyed the music and used the repeat button more than once to have a second listen at some pieces. And now, sitting at my desk, I cannot remember any of it other than some good playing on what sounded like period instruments. Quick check in the CD booklet and, yes, it was a theorbo I was hearing. Even Naxos seem unsure how to label this as they have put it under two classifications: "Spanish Classics" and "Early Music". Juan GarcĂa de Salazar was certainly Spanish. His music looks back to earlier times although he also has more than a touch of the baroque about him. The music on offer is not an exact liturgical reconstruction but does present a coherent musical programme for a contemporary Vespers service for Our Lady, based on extant works by Salazar preserved in the Cathedral of Zamora. The singing is competent throughout and it is a pleasant enough way to spend five pounds and 70 minutes.
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