Westminster Cathedral Choir - Victoria: Missa Trahe Me Post Me/Marian Antiphons
STYLE: Choral RATING OUR PRODUCT CODE: 20099- LABEL: Hyperion 667738 FORMAT: CD Album ITEMS: 1
Reviewed by John Irvine
Tomas Luis De Victoria (1548-1611) was the greatest composer of the Spanish 16th century golden age of polyphonal music. Although his musical output was relatively small when compared to composers such as Palestrina and Lassus, all of his output was devoted to the church. Victoria's status as an ordained priest probably had much to do with his decision to refuse to write secular music. He was a contemporary of Palestrina, but his use of 'accidentals' and peculiar counter-harmonies sets him apart - his music is more colourful than Palestrina's and more daring by the standards of the day. This collection presents a Mass setting using the tune of a motet, "Trahe Me, Post Te", four antiphans in honour of the Virgin Mary and a setting of the Magnificat. Throughout masterful performances of these acapella works for choir is given by the boys and men of Westminster Cathedral Choir, with Victoria's clear and fluid vocal lines coming through vividly and vibrantly. A welcome addition to an ongoing series of Victoria's mass settings.
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