Maestro di Capella

Elzear Genet (Composer), The Suspicious Cheese Lords (Performer), George P. Cervantes (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: The Suspicious Cheese Lords, George P. Cervantes
• Composer: Elzear Genet
• Audio CD (January 24, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Suspicious Cheese Lor
• ASIN: B00008BFXB
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #481,900 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Gabriel angelus

2. Tibi Christe

3. Virgo prudentissima

4. Jubilate Deo

5. Crucem tuam adoramus

6. Magnificat

7. Hae est illa dulcis rosa

8. Missa “Se mieulx ne vient” - Kyrie

9. Missa “Se mieulx ne vient” – Gloria

10. Missa “Se mieulx ne vient” – Credo

11. Missa “Se mieulx ne vient” – Sanctus

12. Missa “Se mieulx ne vient” – Agnus Dei

13. Pange lingua

Editorial Reviews

The Suspicious Cheese Lords is a male a cappella ensemble, which performs concerts and provides church service music for the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Although specializing in music of the Middle Ages and Renaissance, their repertoire ranges from Gregorian chant to original composition. The Suspicious Cheese Lords released their first recording, Maestro di Capella, a collection of sacred music by Elzear Genet (Carpentras), in January 2003.

Elzear Genet (1470-1548), known as Carpentras, was born in the city of Carpentras, France in about 1470. He served as a musician in the chapel of King Louis XII in 1512 and was recruited by Pope Leo X to be maestro of the papal chapel in Rome in 1513. He held this post until around 1521, at which time he returned to France. Years later, Genet published the first "complete edition" of a Renaissance composer’s work (his own). During his lifetime Genet composed a number of motets, masses and other sacred choral works, as well as a handful of secular motets. Other than his setting of the Lamentations of Jeremiah, the vast majority of Genet’s music has never been recorded. The Suspicious Cheese Lords are proud to present this world premiere recording of Genet’s sacred music.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Auspicious debut -- for Genet and the Cheeselords, January 27, 2003

By 

Timothy Jarrett "blogger" (Arlington, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Maestro di Capella (Audio CD)

Elzear Genet, also known as Carpentras, was a prolific composer in his day who is relatively little known and little recorded these days. Hopefully this recording will help to change that. The Cheese Lords have selected a program of a never before recorded mass (Missa "Se mieulx ne vient") and previously unrecorded motets to inaugurate their recording series.

The recording, made at the Franciscan Monastery in Washington, DC, is spacious and resonant, but the ensemble's precision and nuanced dynamics are in evidence throughout. The motets show off several facets of Genet's musical style, from chant-influenced polyphony to the rhythmic, almost dancelike "Jubilate Deo" and the haunting "Haec est illa dulcis rosa." The mass is largely without the contrasts in tempo or style that a Josquin or Byrd would have brought to the form, but the prismatic unfolding of the music from the stately Kyrie through the more urgent Credo into the resolute Agnus dei is still a glorious exemplar of the art. Highly recommended for a window into the music of this era.

(Disclaimer: I am a former member of the group, but have not sung with them for quite some time.)

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A soothing musical experience, March 16, 2003

By 

Barry J. McCasland (Atlanta, GA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Maestro di Capella (Audio CD)

From the cover art to the very last track, Maestro di Capella delivers a soothing musical experience. Having limited familiarity with music of this genre but a taste for male a capella harmony, I would recommend this work to anyone with similar taste or curiosity. You will not be let down.