Jacobus de Kerle (1531/32-1591): Media vita a 6.
Huelgas Ensemble - Paul Van Nevel.
Forgotten master.
Huelgas Ensemble - Paul Van Nevel.
Forgotten master.
This absolutely wonderful motet, published in Selectae quaedam
cantiones sacrae, compositae per Jacobus de Kerle, Nüremberg, Gerlach, 1571 is a perfect example of the mastery of this Franco-Flemish composer, which today is almost forgotten.
In words of Van Nevel: "[...]Even more impressive, if that were
possible, is the six-voice motet Media vita, which he composed in the
same year (1571). Around a cantvs firmvs repeat tenfold in long note
values on the text te rogamus audi nos, de Kerle develops a rich
contrapuntal texture which exhaust all the possibilities of melodic and
harmonic sensibility, from the contemplative beginning in the Dorian
mode, through the tense repetition on irasceris at the end of the
first part, to the resigned conclusion[...]".
The
Huelgas-Ensemble performance is really incredible. Their sound is very
earthly and surround. The character of unrest that this piece requires
is perfectly played by the 16 voices of the ensemble.
Especially male voices are fantastic, with a special merit for the basses with their exquisite sound.
This album is really, really amazing. One more time, Paul and his
singers show us how wonderful is the world of Franco-Flemish polyphony.
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