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International Record Review - (12//2014)
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Harmonia Mundi
HMU807595



Code-barres / Barcode : 0093046759568
 (Classicalacarte ID465)

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Reviewer:  Ivan Moody
 

I have not in general been one of Stile Antico's. most enthusiastic fans. I find the lack of a conductor to be problematic for such a large group, especially in English polyphony, in which an overall shaping of the music is essential. With this well‑chosen and beautifully recorded anthology of music for the Hapsburg Court, however, it has found repertoire that suits this approach rather better, though I am still not entirely convinced. Sonorously rich though the performances are, I find, for example, that Morales's Jubilate Deo and Lobo's Versa est in luctum still too often sound pallid, the lack of a single vision meaning that they settle into dull uniformity, and the dramatic curve that is certainly present in Tallis's Loquebantur variis linguis seems arbitrarily shaped.

There are nevertheless many lovely moments. Crecquillon's Andreas Christi famulus, Josquin's Mille regretz and Clemens's Carole magnus eras bring out some really fine individual singing, and the dense scoring and tendril‑like counterpoint of the two Gombert works recorded here, the Magnificat primi toni and Mille regretz, are well suited to this sort of approach. It is also good to hear performances of Senfl's Quis dabit oculis and Pierre de la Rue's Absalon fili mi; both these composers are still under‑represented in the catalogue. The disc ends with an exuberant performance of Isaac's magnificent Missa 'Virgo prudentisima', surely the jewel in the crown of this particular court.

The programme is extremely well conceived, and the booklet beautifully presented, with detailed notes by Matthew O'Donovan. The unwary should note that track listings in the booklet and the list on the back cover of the case do not correspond: that in the booklet is the actual order, the one on the cover purely chronological.

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