Jordi Savall, La Capella Reial de Catalunya, Hespèrion XX - Cristóbal de Morales: Officium Defunctorum; Missa Pro Defunctis (1992)
EAC | FLAC | Image (Cue & Log) ~ 292 Mb | Total time: 72:30 min | Scans included
Classical | Label: Auvidis / Astrée | # E 8765 | Recorded: 1991
EAC | FLAC | Image (Cue & Log) ~ 292 Mb | Total time: 72:30 min | Scans included
Classical | Label: Auvidis / Astrée | # E 8765 | Recorded: 1991
Morales's five-part setting of the Requiem is one of the masterpieces of the 16th century and was actually published twice during his lifetime. The 'Missa pro defunctis' follows the customary pattern of the time. Each section begins with a unison Gregorian intonation, which then continues as a cantus firmus in the upper part as the other voices spin a polyphonic texture underneath. The work avoids obvious madrigalisms, but maintains an austere, meditative texture, which is both spiritual and moving.