Search - Tomas Luis de Victoria, Carlos Mena, Francisco Rubio Gallego :: Carlos Mena - Victoria 'Et Jesum'

A voice teacher and early music fan

George Peabody | Planet Earth | 04/22/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"VICTORIA PAINTS HIS OWN UNIQUE SOUND PICTURE!



The fame of Tomas Luis de Victoria (1548-1611) soon spread beyond the fronteirs of Spain and extended across 16th Century Europe. In Holland as well as in England, his polyphonic musical pieces gave an inspiration to transcibers who adapted them for lute and solo voice.



Among the composers of his time Victoria holds a singular position in having solely composed liturgical music set to Latin texts. For this reason,perhaps,the interpretation of his works has remained the province of choirs and vocal ensembles. However,he was also a pioneer in the use of instruments, such as the organ for the purpose of accompanying; in fact he was one of the first composers to introduce instruments of any kind to accompany singing in churches.



The music of Victoria appears to us with some different colors than those which come through in typical vocal performances, such as when the lighting of a painting is altered. His music comes forward with more intimacy and has a chamber feel to it. One may appreciate Victoria more for his motets and responsories rather than for his masses and great antiphons.



When I first heard this disc I was transported to some ecstatic realm and remained there till it was over. I think the voice of Carlos Mena was basically responsible, but the sound of the vihuela played expertly by Jaun Carlos Rivera certainly assisted in my transportation. This is just beautiful music for the sensitive soul!!!!!"