Notes and Editorial Reviews
VICTORIA
Motet and Missa O magnum mysterium. Ecce Dominus veniet. O regem caeli. Quem vidistis, pastores? Magi viderunt stellam
•
Javier M. Carmena, cond; Escolanía del Escorial
•
DIES 201122 (40:10
Text and Translation)
The Mass was recorded early and often in the LP era and most recently appeared on the MSR label from a New York choir (
Fanfare
28:5), so a new recording marking the quatercentenary of the composer’s
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death is a welcome addition to the catalog. The boys’ choir (including men’s voices) was established at the Escorial, Philip II’s palace and monastery outside Madrid, as soon as it was built. Their performance of the Mass is of exquisite tonal purity, comparable to the superb version by a similar choir, Westminster Cathedral, on Hyperion (10: 1; also on CD), a disc that added another motet and Mass for full value. Their vocal production has a warmth typical of Spanish boys’ choirs. Since it was composed for the Christmas season, based on a motet for Matins of the feast, the addition of four more motets for Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany is highly appropriate, although it would have been generous to add even more motets to fill out the playing time.
This choir takes the music faster than the earlier version, and the difference increases as the Mass progresses, yet this version sounds not at all rushed. Some may prefer the softer, warmer sound of this choir, but both versions are appropriate to the style. There is no denying that two Masses are a better bargain than one. Since this disc was made two years ago, the director has already moved on to direct a choir made up of former members of this escolania. Collectors who want to hear an alternative rendition of the Mass will appreciate this, and with it come three motets that are hard to find on recent records (only
O magnum mysterium
and
Magi viderunt
are readily available).
FANFARE: J. F. Weber
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Works on This Recording
1.
O magnum mysterium by Tomás Luis de Victoria
Conductor:
Javier M. Carmena
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Escolanía del Escorial
Period: Renaissance
Written: by 1572; Spain
2.
Quem vidistis, pastores by Tomás Luis de Victoria
Conductor:
Javier M. Carmena
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Escolanía del Escorial
Period: Renaissance
Written: by 1572
3.
O regem coeli by Tomás Luis de Victoria
Conductor:
Javier M. Carmena
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Escolanía del Escorial
Period: Renaissance
Written: by 1572; Spain
4.
Magi viderunt stellam by Tomás Luis de Victoria
Conductor:
Javier M. Carmena
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Escolanía del Escorial
Period: Renaissance
Written: by 1572; Spain
5.
Ecce Dominus veniet by Tomás Luis de Victoria
Conductor:
Javier M. Carmena
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Escolanía del Escorial
Period: Renaissance
Written: 1572; Italy
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