español | français Medieval Renaissance Baroque Clasicism Opera  5 STARS All periods MEDIEVAL RENAISSANCE BAROQUE CLASICISM OPERA LUMINA Christmas around the 1500s Capilla Flamenca Eufoda 1366 2006 - 62:35 min. Capilla Flamenca has always had the gift of discovering and bringing to life rarely heard repertoire and placing it within an interesting context. With this utterly delightful recording of Christmas music, it triumphs again. To its involving, colourful but blended sound is added from time to time a small instrumental ensemble and a group of six children, whose beautiful voices were trained by countertenor Marnix De Cat. The chosen repertoire covers a wide variety of genres, from vernacular songs to large-scale motets by such composers as Agricola, Verdelot, Brumel, de La Rue and the ubiquitous Anonymous, providing a diverse but coherent programme. Having said that, the star of the show here is Heinrich Finck, whose little-performed output is represented by three outstanding motets, Rorate caeli, Puer natus est and Ecce advenit, all built very audibly on the appropriate chant melodies. Finck’s counterpoint is complex but clear, and melodically involving; a recording devoted exclusively to his music (preferably by Capilla Flamenca) should be a priority. Also outstanding is the five-voice O admirabile commercium by Regis, an intricate edifice quoting a number of liturgical texts (with their music) in a way that almost recalls a quodlibet. The exuberant performance, complete with pueri, makes a perfect end to a magnificent recording. IVAN MOODY ABOUT US | CONTRIBUTE   web map - home page - cover Legal warning Copyright 2003, Goldberg. info@goldberg-magazine.com