Search - Josquin, A Sei Voci :: Missa De Beata Virgine

Absolutely Beautiful

Gracejoy | New York, NY United States | 12/08/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I became acquainted with Desprez' 'Missa de Beata Virgine' after singing it with my choral group. I found it so stunningly beautiful that I had to have a recording of it, and I found two: this one, and another by Theater of Voices, with Hillier as director. Both are lovely, but this one is by far my favorite of the two.This is a recording that would make Josquin proud. A Sei Voci performs Josquin's most beautiful Missa with clarity and a haunting expressiveness that feels quite spiritual (as it should). The intricate harmonies and rythms are perfectly executed, and the singers have clear and beautiful voices. This is about as flawless as a performance as you can achieve with this music--simply wonderful. The selection of motets on this recording is also stunning and I have enjoyed becoming acquainted with them. Sometimes I find myself truly amazed at the depth of beauty in the music this composer was able to imagine. The experience of singing it has been one of the highlights of both my musical and personal life.If you are not familiar with Desprez' music, a purchase of this CD will make you a serious fan. Of the hundreds of CDs I own, this is one of my genuine favorites. I recommend it without reservation to anyone who likes the music of Desprez, the sound of small vocal ensemble, or who appreciates beautiful music."

Brings me to tears

Blue Hose Bone 311 | South Carolina | 03/20/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This must be what heaven is like. The mass is fantasitic, and the 6 voice arrangement of Ave Maria in the motets is the best version I have heard (I have listened to many). In short, absolutely stunning music and impeccably sung by A Sei Voci - they are now on my short list of great performers. I want this played at my funeral."

Perversely Muddy!

Giordano Bruno | Wherever I am, I am. | 10/24/2008

(2 out of 5 stars)

"I should have expected some kind of new perversity from this very unpredictable ensemble when I noticed that the cover picture on this CD of the Mass of the Blessed Virgin is a portrait of Lucrezia Borgia!



A Sei Voci can sing. They sing extremely well on their recording of the Miserere and a mass by Gregorio Allegri. Thus it's mere perversity that they choose to sing these motets and mass movements as an imitation of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, conducted by Herbert von Karajan. When singing Josquin-era polyphony, more voices are always less, and Sei Voci in this performance is really Undici Voci - eleven voices, without the tight ensemble tuning and dictiom to make such a choral onslaught attractive. Thus there is NO sense of independence in the four"