Palestrina, Pro Cantione Antiqua - Missa Papae Marcelli
STYLE: Choral RATING OUR PRODUCT CODE: 25153-12545 LABEL: Kevin Mayhew KM1490198 FORMAT: CD Album
Reviewed by Steven Whitehead
Giovanni Pierluigi Da Palestrina (c.1525-1594) led an interesting - turbulent, even - life as a musician but is today remembered as a prolific and influential composer. His best-known work is a "Stabat Mater" that introduces this budget-priced compilation and if you do not have this piece in your collection this is worth seeking out. The bulk of the CD - 37 minutes out of one hour - is devoted to a full performance of a Mass for Pope Marcellus II. As this Pope reigned for just three weeks he is perhaps fortunate to be commemorated in such a way. The English vocal group Pro Cantione Antiqua give us the full Mass, which includes some breathtaking music but also the appropriate chants, all sung in Latin and without a translation in the CD booklet. Those seeking authenticity will appreciate this; those listening for pleasure will probably use the "skip" button. As well as the "Stabat Mater" there are three other tracks, all worth hearing: "Dominus Jesus in Qua Nocte", "Alma Redemptoris Mater", and "Peccantem Me Quotidie". The recordings were originally issued by Hyperion and Kevin Mayhew has done us a favour by reissuing them at a budget price.
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