Customer Reviews

Masterpieces of Portuguese Polyphony

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PERFECTION REIGNS WITH THESE EIGHTEEN SINGERS AS WELL AS WITH THEIR DIRECTOR:GAVIN TURNER.

Since there was no information on the accompanying liner notes concerning the vocal ensemble, Hyperion connected me with Gavin Turner, who kindly supplied me with the line-up of singers and they are as follows: six sopranos,L.Hirst,R.Bevan,D.Roberts,S.Dunkley,J.Wright,M.Sears; four countertenors(one being Michael Chance who is also on his 1990 recording),A.Stafford,T.Wilson,W.Swansborough; four tenors,N.Robertson,D.Roy,S.Davies,J.Dudley; four basses,S.Grant,M.Elliott,R.Wistreich and S.Crookall. It's a talented and experienced group of singers, and many are still singing in ensembles; Michael Chance, in fact has become internationally renowned. (This music was recorded in 1986.)

Duarte Lobos(not Alonso) (1565-1646) was the most widely known Portuguese composer of this time and his works were much performed in his own country, in the Spanish Netherlands and in Mexico and Guatemala. The 'Requiem Mass' (Missa pro defunctis) is for eight voices. It is not for two separated choirs, though there are some antiphonal moments between the two groups(two each of sopranos, altos, tenors and basses). Lobos thins out his eight-part texture briefly but frequently; his harmony is very simple, but very firm,with strongly directed bass lines.

Most publications of the 'Requiem Mass' in the 16th and 17th centuries have appended one or more motets suitable for funerals, and this recording includes one such motet: 'Liber Missarum'.

Filipe de Magalhaes (1571-1652), like his contemporary Lobo,was a chorister and pupil at Evora singing in the Cathedral Choir and the Colegia da Claustra there. 'Missa Dilectus meus' is based on a motet and is written for five-part choir with divided sopranos. The full complement is used most of the time, but the 'Crucifixus' of the 'Credo' is reduced to SSAT and the 'Benedictus' is for SAT. The music flows continuously in smooth and effective polyphonic style.

The funeral motet 'Commissa mea pavesco' concludes this recording, It is a masterly work, confident in manner, very sure in its succession of themes worked out unhurriedly, touchingly penitent but full of dignity.

BBC MUSIC MAGAZINES SAYS OF THIS RECORDING: "Lobo's glorious 8-voice Requiem is a sumptuous earful, but fellow Evora almunis Magalhaes knows how to turn an ear-catching detail with only five voices. Compelling mobility and sincerity, all around."

The accompanying booklet includes pertinent information in English, German and French, as well as the Latin text.