| 1 CD |
|
Notify when available |
| Label Signum Classics |
UPC 0635212024829 |
Catalogue number SIGCD 248 |
Release date 01 April 2011 |
Tomás Luis de Victoria's requiem mass for six voices, written in 1603 and published in 1605, is a masterpiece. It is one of a handful of large-scale works which enjoys mainstream appeal in the 21st century. For many, it represents what Renaissance polyphony is, what it sounds and feels like, and how expressive it can be. The album also features two well-known works by Victoria's contemporary Alonso Lobo.
The performance comes from the renowned professional chamber choir Tenebrae, led by Nigel Short, following their BBC Music Magazine Award nominated recording of Francis Poulenc's Figure Humaine.
Professionele opname van een meesterwerk uit de Renaissance
Het Requiem voor zes stemmen van Tomás Luis de Victoria, geschreven in 1603 en gepubliceerd in 1605, is een meesterwerk. Het is een van de handvol grootschalige werken die in de 21e eeuw nog steeds een zeer breed publiek weet aan te spreken. Voor velen vertegenwoordigt het stuk wat Renaissancepolyfonie is, hoe het klinkt en hoe het voelt, en hoe expressief het kan zijn. Het album bevat daarnaast twee bekende werken van Victoria’s tijdgenoot Alonso Lobo.
De werken worden uitgevoerd door het vermaarde professionele kamerkoor Tenebrae, onder leiding van Nigel Short. Dit album volgt op hun succesvolle opname van Francis Poulencs Figure Humaine.
Enkele recensenten over dit album:
“Victoria’s Requiem Mass is one of the acknowledged masterpieces of Renaissance choral polyphony, and Tenebrae here exquisitely conveys the flowing relationships between its six voices.” – The Independent
“Tenebrae’s performance, directed by Nigel Short, is gently sustained, immaculately balanced and wrapped in a luminous acoustic … If you have ever developed a resistance to Renaissance polyphony, this could be the disc to make you think again.” – The Financial Times
Described as “phenomenal” (The Times) and “devastatingly beautiful” (Gramophone Magazine), award-winning choir Tenebrae is one of the world’s leading vocal ensembles, renowned for its passion and precision.
For purity and precision of tone, and flawless intonation, Nigel Short’s chamber choir Tenebrae is pretty much unbeatable.
– The Times
Under the direction of Nigel Short, Tenebrae performs at major festivals and venues across the globe, including the BBC Proms, Wigmore Hall, Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, Rheingau Musik Festival and Sydney Festival. The choir has earned international acclaim for its interpretations of choral music ranging from the Renaissance through to contemporary masterpieces, and it regularly commissions new music. Previous commissions have included works by Judith Bingham, Joanna Marsh, Owain Park, Josephine Stephenson, Joby Talbot and Roderick Williams. Tenebrae has enjoyed collaborations with some of the UK’s leading orchestras, appearing alongside the London Symphony Orchestra, Aurora Orchestra, the Academy of Ancient Music and Britten Sinfonia. The choir also produces an annual Holy Week Festival in partnership with St John’s Smith Square, London.
Choral development is central to Tenebrae’s ethos, and through its Associate Artist Programme it provides crucial training and performance opportunities to young professional singers. Alongside its performance and recording schedule, the choir also runs a thriving Learning & Connection programme which encompasses partnerships with Music Centre London and London Youth Choirs, Tenebrae Effect workshops with amateur choirs, and its newest programme Singing Schools. Run in partnership with Ealing Music Service, Singing Schools aims to embed a long-lasting singing culture in local schools which might otherwise face barriers to music-making.
A concert by the British choir Tenebrae is more than a performance. It’s an experience that envelops the audience… this is one of the best choirs in the world.
– St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Tenebrae’s ever-increasing discography has brought about collaborations with Signum, Decca Classics, Deutsche Grammophon, EMI Classics, LSO Live and Warner Classics. In 2012 Tenebrae was the first-ever ensemble to be multi-nominated in the same category for the BBC Music Magazine Awards, securing the accolade of ‘Best Choral Performance’ for the choir’s recording of Victoria’s Requiem Mass, 1605. In 2016 Tenebrae received its second BBC Music Magazine Award for a recording of Brahms and Bruckner Motets, the profits from the sale of which benefit Macmillan Cancer Support. In 2018, the choir received its first Grammy nomination for its album of part songs from the British Isles, Music of the Spheres.
Signum’s current roster includes many excellent ensembles but the choral jewel in the crown is surely Tenebrae – Nigel Short’s outstanding chamber choir.
– Gramophone Magazine
‘Passion and Precision’ are Tenebrae’s core values. Through its continued dedication to performance of the highest quality, Tenebrae’s vision is to inspire audiences around the world through dramatic programming, flawless performances and unforgettable experiences.
Tomás Luis de Victoria was born as the seventh child to a family of eleven chilren, in Madrid. He received his first music lessons as a choirboy, and after his voice change at puberty he was sent to Rome to attend a different choir. There he undoubtedly got to know the renowned Palestrina, perhaps he was even Palestrina's student. He soon established a flourishing career as a musician and composer, until 1587 when he joined a monastery and composed music for them. The working conditions were so favourable that he was never tempted to accept a new offer for a better position.
As a composer, De Victoria exclusively focused on the Latin liturgy: he composed many missas, magnificats and motets. For now his gloomy music, such as his Requiem and his lamentations for the Holy Week, remains the most popular. Because of this, De Victoria is often unfairly portrayed as a somber romantic, but he didn't appear to be a worrier at all! And if you listen closely, you can hear the musical joy in his music
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