Pierre De La Rue, The Clerks' Group - Missa De Sancta Cruce

Monday 1st September 2003
Pierre De La Rue, The Clerks' Group - Missa De Sancta Cruce
Pierre De La Rue, The Clerks' Group - Missa De Sancta Cruce

STYLE: Classical
RATING 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8
OUR PRODUCT CODE: 7969-
LABEL: Gaudeamus GAU307
FORMAT: CD Album

Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

The first point to make is that The Clerks’ Group, led by Edward Wickham, are in absolutely top vocal form. Here they give us another glimpse into the early Renaissance, into the Burgundian court, to be precise. Pierre De La Rue (c 1460 - 1518) never visited Italy (a bad career move at that time) and so his work is not so well known as, say, Josquin Des Prez. Which is a shame as it is good. This recital starts with a glimpse back with a Gregorian Chant “Nos Autem Gloriari” and then gives us “Missa De Sancta Cruce” which was written for the feasts commemorating the finding and exalting of the Holy Cross. Then we have the first of two extracts from “Lamentations” by Johannes De Quadris, a contemporary of De La Rue, that sandwich three more pieces by the featured composer: “Considera Israel”, “Salve Regina” and “Vexilla Regis”. The texts and translations are supplied and the accompanying notes by Edward Wickham are illuminating.

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