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See Terms & Conditions for p&p rates. | |  | Cristóbal de Morales - Magnificat, Motets & Lamentations
The Brabant Ensemble, Stephen Rice Morales was the first Spanish composer to achieve true international fame, and was described by contemporaries as ‘the light of Spain in music’. Although he is relatively well-represented in recordings, a few pieces have attracted the attention of performers at the expense of the majority of his output. This recording aims to begin filling that gap by presenting works which are so far underexposed, yet which are of extremely high quality. The longest work on this disc is the Magnificat primi toni. In 1542 Morales wrote a set of eight Magnificats (one in each of the ‘tones’—‘keys’, in modern terms). The prevailing liturgy of the day, however, required the canticle to be sung alternatim, with alternate verses sung to plainchant; to adhere to this, and perhaps to double his earnings, Morales split his compositions in half for publication—apparently two Magnificats per ‘tone’, each with half the verses only set to music. And so it has remained to this day. This is the first recording of any of Morales’s Magnificats to present the entire work as the composer originally intended. The Brabant Ensemble and Stephen Rice are rapidly confirming themselves as major contenders in the field of Renaissance polyphony. Their performances and recordings are praised both for the integrity of their scholarship and also for their unique vocal balance. This is the group’s fourth recording for Hyperion, and one which we expect to be as favourably received as have been their discs of Crecquillon, Manchicourt and Gombert. | 
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| |  | Gombert - Tribulatio et angustiasFour- & five-part motets
The Brabant Ensemble, Stephen Rice (director) “It’s one of very few discs of this repertoire I’ve been happy to play in its entirety, and then several times since. This is in part a tribute to Gombert … but also to The Brabant Ensemble and Stephen Rice … by encouraging an
unusually individual and carefully balanced vocal response, he avoids the pitfalls of relentless consistency and arrided elision … there is a welcome and (in this music) novel belief in the power of voices as voices … try the sopranos halfway through Hortus conclusus es for erotic Mariolatry at its
most disconcertingly sensual. Arise, make haste, as they sing, and hear this music” Gramophone Magazine “These 10 motets are notable for their richly glowing sonorities, their disciplined counterpoints, their intensity of expression and, most of all, their careful tailoring of music to text. There’s the darkly erotic
intensity of Hortus conclusus es, the angst-ridden, pentitential Tribulatio et angustia … the singing is meticulously balanced and blended, Stephen Rice shaping and pacing each work with exquisite judgement” Sunday Times “The Brabant Ensemble’s exploration of the “forgotten generation” of composers between Josquin and Palestrina is reviving an abundance of unwarrantedly neglected sacred polyphony. Judging by this splendid selection
of motets, Gombert’s neglect is particularly flagrant. In penitential pieces, such as Aspice Domine and Tribulatio et angustia, his lavish use of dissonance within a smooth-flowing yet intricately imitative style creates an atmosphere of almost unbearably intense and bitter anguish, whether contemplating
a city laid waste or beseeching rescue from a foetid quagmire … these shapely and well-paced performances do full justice to Gombert’s outstanding talent” Daily Telegraph | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
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The Brabant Ensemble, Stephen Rice ‘A must-have disc from The Brabant Ensemble … first-rate music stirs this young ensemble to their finest disc yet’ (Gramophone) | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
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| |  | Crecquillon - Missa Mort m’a privé and chansons & motets
The Brabant Ensemble, Stephen Rice (director) ‘A most promising debut CD, suggesting The Brabant Ensemble could have a bright future—especially if, in its enterprising choice of repertoire, it is starting as it means to go on’ (The Daily Telegraph) | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
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Brabant Ensemble, Stephen Rice | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
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Gramophone Awards 2008
Gramophone Magazine
