Philippe Rogier - Music From The Missae Sex / Cave, Magnificat, His Majestys Sagbutts And Cornetts

Notes and Editorial Reviews

This celebratory recording by Magnificat showcases the rich, contrapuntal Renaissance style of Philippe Rogier's music and is bursting with lush textures and colours. Joining Magnificat in this performance is the instrumental group His Majestys Sagbutts and Cornetts with organ and harp, keeping with the Spanish liturgical music tradition of the 16th century. This full ensemble creates a kaleidoscope of sound and complements Rogier's intricate compositional techniques which includes up to twelve chordal parts in some of the movements. This recording truly demonstrates Rogier's position as one of the last great Renaissance composers.

Directed by Philip Cave, Magnificat specialises in the restoration and performance of neglected Read more choral masterpieces of the 16th and 17th centuries. The choir, which ranges from four to forty voices, is composed of young professional singers, many of whom are former Oxford and Cambridge choral scholars or were trained at the country's leading music conservatories. His Majestys Sagbutts and Cornetts is a group of virtuoso wind players who specialise in playing Renaissance and Baroque music on original instruments in an effort to create a historically accurate performance. The inclusion of cornetts and sackbuts adds a noble and grandious sound to the performance and were an important tool for composers in creating a colourful timbre in the 16th and 17th centuries.

"A sublime blend of voices." - Gramophone

"Performance: ***** / Sound: ***** The Magnificat ensemble is stunning." - BBC Music Magazine

"The performances are guaranteed to refresh even the most jaded palate." - Early Music Review
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