Notes and Editorial Reviews
PHILIPS
Cantiones Sacrae Quinis et Octonibus Vocibus:
selections
•
Andrew Mackay, cond; Sarum Consort
•
NAXOS
8.572832 (65:08
Text and Translation)
The Sarum Consort’s previous recording of works drawn from Peter Philips’s 1612
Cantiones Sacrae Quinis
was enthusiastically received at
Fanfare
when it first appeared
Read more
in 2001. Martin Anderson (
Fanfare
25:3) referred to these as “loving, sympathetic, insightful performances,” and J. F. Weber (
Fanfare
25:4) wrote, “This is the place to start hearing this remarkable composer.” However, Weber also noted hopefully at the time, “Given all the Tudor composers that ASV and other British labels have tackled complete, we may be allowed to hope for more of Peter Philips.” This was not to be; ASV and its early-music label, Gaudeamus, ceased issuing recordings in subsequent years. Only now has the Sarum Consort returned to Philips on the Naxos label, with a selection that draws further from the 69 five-part motets of his 1612 publication, as well as the 30 eight-part motets of his 1613
Cantiones Sacrae Octonibus Vocibus.
Andrew Mackay prefers one voice per part on this recording. I find this a wise choice, as it allows the full repertoire of contrapuntal techniques of which Philips was a past master to shine through. It helps that the recording location—Wardour Chapel, Tisbury, Wiltshire—is only moderately resonant and miked tightly, reducing the sonic bloat often associated with early music in churchly venues. To the comments of Anderson and Weber I can add little regarding the Sarum Consort itself, other than to briefly remark on the beauty of the individual voices, their perfect blend, and expressive phrasing. This is ardent music set to passionate texts, for all their sacred character. Mackay and company never lose track of that.
The texts are online, according to Naxos’s usual practice. Mackay’s liner notes (with the bio section about Philips reprinted from the ASV release) are strong, but a few minor errors appear to have crept in. Philips’s setting of the
Pater Noster
is described as SSATB, but the detail listing shows it as SATBB. Similarly, Mackay describes
Media Via
as SATTB, but it is listed as SATBB.
I can’t say whether this recording constitutes part of a series, though nowhere on the album is it referred to as Volume 2. Regardless, it is long overdue, and of a quality that makes it essential to all lovers of Tudor sacred music.
FANFARE: Barry Brenesal
Read less
Works on This Recording
1.
Cantiones sacrae, pro praecipuis festis totius anni et communi sanctorum: Christus resurgens by Peter Phillips
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Sarum Consort
2.
Cantiones sacrae, pro praecipuis festis totius anni et communi sanctorum: Disciplinam et sapientiam by Peter Phillips
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Sarum Consort
3.
Cantiones sacrae, pro praecipuis festis totius anni et communi sanctorum: Loquebantur variis linguis by Peter Phillips
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Sarum Consort
4.
Cantiones sacrae, pro praecipuis festis totius anni et communi sanctorum: Ne reminiscaris Domin by Peter Phillips
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Sarum Consort
5.
Cantiones sacrae, pro praecipuis festis totius anni et communi sanctorum: Gabriel angelus by Peter Phillips
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Sarum Consort
6.
Cantiones sacrae, pro praecipuis festis totius anni et communi sanctorum: Viae Syon lugent by Peter Phillips
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Sarum Consort
7.
Cantiones sacrae, pro praecipuis festis totius anni et communi sanctorum: Pater noster by Peter Phillips
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Sarum Consort
8.
Cantiones sacrae, pro praecipuis festis totius anni et communi sanctorum: Ave Jesu Christe by Peter Phillips
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Sarum Consort
9.
Cantiones sacrae, pro praecipuis festis totius anni et communi sanctorum: Beata Agnes by Peter Phillips
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Sarum Consort
10.
Cantiones sacrae, pro praecipuis festis totius anni et communi sanctorum: Elegerunt apostoli by Peter Phillips
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Sarum Consort
11.
Cantiones sacrae, pro praecipuis festis totius anni et communi sanctorum: Media vita in morte sumus by Peter Phillips
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Sarum Consort
Sound Samples
Disciplinam et sapientiam
Loquebantur variis linguis
Media vita in morte sumus
Gaude Maria Virgo: Virgo prudentissima
Customer Reviews
Be the first to review this title
Review This Title
