Customer Reviews

The Ockeghem Collection [Box Set]

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The word 'bargin' is bandied about to the point of becoming meaningless however, in the present case this 5 CD set would be a 'bargain' at twice the price. There are over six hours of music here but that's just quantity--a dubious basis for value--it is the quality of performances of Edward Wickham and the Clerks' Group that make this set so compeling. The Collection is made up of most of the Ockeghem the Clerks' have recorded--don't fret doubling up on some of the masses if you've already started collecting the single albums--those are worth getting for the fill-ups by Ockeghem's conteporaries. At this price it's worth it.

The five CDs in this collection represent the summit of polyphonic consort singing, and the greatest works of the greatest composer who ever wrote!

(How's that for hyperbole?)

I've reviewed several of these CDs separately, so I won't repeat myself.

Of the six separate Ockeghem CDs, the one NOT included here is: Missa Caput, Missa Ma Maistresse, 3 Motets. I have no idea why since it's one of their best.

Glorious performance, superbly recorded. And at a bargain price when I bought it. Highest possible recommendation.

The Clerks' Group is a supreme group of singers, and these performances of Ockeghem's music are supreme in quality, far outstripping most other groups' recordings by far. It is very hard to find good performances of Ockeghem's music, partly because it is so dense polyphonically. The Clerks' Group has risen to the challenge superbly. I can't rave enough about these recordings.

For some reason, the MP3 downloads on this Amazon site aren't working (not for me anyway), but the recordings can be purchased, @ $.99 per cut, on the iTunes Store.