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Lassus: Lamentationes Jeremię Prophetę; Requiem

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COLLEGIUM REGALE: A MALE CHOIR FROM KING'S COLLEGE CHOIR DISPLAYS VIRTUOSTIC AND BALANCED SINGING!

The Flemish Orlandus Lassus (1530-1594) was almost the musical twin of Palestrina. Not only did they look alike, with pointed beards and serious deepset eyes, but they held choirmaster jobs successively at the same church, and died in the same year. Unlike his 'twin', Lassus did not concentrate wholly on church music; in fact his secular writings increased his grand total to twelve hundred and fifty, a formidable sixty volumes.

Lassus' religious writings were serious, meditative, almost sombre, as witness his moving setting of the 'Seven Penitential Psalms', whereas in those designed for the world and the flesh, he of course released a lighter mood. While Palestrina's compositions were characterized by pure, graceful melody, Lassus' displayed more variety, greater depth, more abrupt and massive archictecture. However both Palestrina and Lassus together represent the highest point attained in sixteenth century polyphonic writing.

Most of the works on this recording date from the 1580's. They were written when Lassus was at court in Munich and are magnificent and mature masterpieces. The 'LAMENTATIONS' are set for five voices, but we only get the Maunday Thursday group here, not the complete run-through to Holy Saturday. In the 'LAMENTATIONS' Stephen Cleobury (director) forces an almost organ-like effect from the choir; a strong substantial sound, with plenty of swell, but not much inflection and thus not much of a 'lamentation' effect. However, the five-part 'LAMENTATIONS OF JEREMIAH' proceeds with dignified restraint.

The four-voiced 'REQUIEM MASS' is on a smaller scale than in other settings, but no less profound for all that. It is different from the 'Lamentations'; there is still a full sound at climaxes, but the Introit has a quietly magical ending; while in the Gradual verse (Virga tua), there is a sparkling display of virtuostic but balanced singing.

The two motets 'IN MONTE OLIVETE' AND 'VIDE HOMO' are a great bonus, and were widely admired in the 16th century (and later). These two great motets, the six-voice 'in monte...' and the moving seven- voice 'vide...' , and the plainsong tract (ABSOLVE DOMINE' complete this alluring disc.

The Collegium Regale consists of the fourteen choral scholars that are altos, tenors and basses from the King's College Choir. Specifically there are four altos, four tenors and six basses, who sing this music with much skill.

There is no need to elaborate on the vocal sounds of this quality group from the famed King's College Choir. Suffice it to say that they sing with a clean, clear and crisp sound, never faltering in tone quality or diction and tuneful to the highest level. Their other recording, by this same group 'Vox In Rama' is equally outstanding. Mention must be made of David Allsopp, a young and certainly up-coming countertenor who sings mostly the higher voice lead in this group.

If you are fond of the music of Lassus you will surely enjoy this recording. The motets interested me mostly because I had not previously heard them, but in truth Lassus has been a part of my listening experience for many many years.