Palestrina: Missa Ad coenam Agni & Eastertide Motets

Immerse yourself in the sacred and serene world of Renaissance polyphony with Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina's "Missa Ad coenam Agni & Eastertide Motets." This exquisite collection, released in 2013, features the renowned composer's masterful Missa Ad coenam Agni, drawn from his first book of Mass settings published in 1554, alongside a selection of enchanting Eastertide motets and offertories. The album, recorded in the acoustically rich Church of St Michael and All Angels in Oxford, showcases the Brabant Ensemble under the direction of Stephen Rice, delivering a performance of unparalleled beauty and precision.

The album opens with the Missa Ad coenam Agni, a work that transcends mere compositional technique, offering graceful vocal lines and lush harmonies that resonate with expressive power. Following the Mass, the collection delves into a variety of Eastertide pieces, including antiphons, motets, and offertories, each demonstrating Palestrina's unmatched ability to blend voices in a tapestry of sound that is both intricate and uplifting.

With a duration of just over an hour, this album is a testament to Palestrina's enduring legacy and the Brabant Ensemble's commitment to bringing historical music to life. Recorded and produced with meticulous attention to detail, this release is a treasure for both seasoned enthusiasts of choral music and those new to the enchanting world of Renaissance polyphony.

Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, born circa 1525 in the town of Palestrina near Rome, stands as one of the most influential composers of the late Renaissance period. As the central figure of the Roman School, alongside Orlande de Lassus and Tomás Luis de Victoria, Palestrina's compositions are celebrated for their intricate polyphony and emotional depth. His career began at the young age of 19 when he was appointed as an organist at the cathedral in Palestrina, a role he held until 1551. Throughout his life, Palestrina's work significantly shaped the course of Western classical music, earning him the title of the leading composer of late 16th-century Europe. His choral works, deeply rooted in the traditions of Gregorian chant and medieval music, continue to captivate audiences with their timeless beauty and technical mastery.