Monteverdi Digital Masses: A Sacred Renaissance Experience (Audio CD)

Product Information

• Catalog Number: CDA66214
• UPC: 034571162140
• Product Type: Compact Disc (Digital Audio, DDD)
• Genre: Classical – Sacred Renaissance Music
• Language: Latin (with comprehensive bilingual liner notes)
• Publication Date: MCMLXXXVI (1986)
• Publisher: Hyperion Records Limited, London, England
• Recording Venue: All Hallows, Gospel Oak, London
• Recording Dates: 9–10 May 1986
• Conductor: Harry Christophers
• Featured Ensemble: The Sixteen; with Margaret Phillips on organ

Overview

"Monteverdi Digital Masses: A Sacred Renaissance Experience" offers an extraordinary journey into the spiritual and musical innovations of Claudio Monteverdi. This digital recording features two seminal works:

• Mass for Four Voices (1650)
  A refined, intimate setting presenting the essential movements of the Mass: Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Benedictus, and Agnus Dei, complemented by the moving motet Cantate Domine.

• Mass for Six Voices in Illo Tempore (1610)
  A grander, more intricate composition that unfolds with the traditional liturgical texts—Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Benedictus, and a two-part Agnus Dei—illustrating Monteverdi’s masterful blending of solemnity and innovation.

Under the inspired direction of Harry Christophers, and performed by the renowned ensemble The Sixteen, this release captures the transformative spirit of Monteverdi’s sacred music. The recording is enhanced by crystal-clear digital audio (DDD) technology, ensuring an immersive listening experience that brings the reverberant acoustics of All Hallows, Gospel Oak, to life.

French Translation – Overview (Aperçu)

"Monteverdi Digital Masses: Une Expérience Sacrée de la Renaissance" offre un voyage extraordinaire au cœur des innovations spirituelles et musicales de Claudio Monteverdi. Cet enregistrement numérique présente deux œuvres emblématiques :

• Messe pour quatre voix (1650)
  Un cadre intimiste et raffiné présentant les mouvements essentiels de la messe : Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Benedictus et Agnus Dei, complété par le motet émouvant Cantate Domine.

• Messe pour six voix in Illo Tempore (1610)
  Une composition plus grandiose et élaborée qui se déploie à travers les textes liturgiques traditionnels – Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Benedictus, et un Agnus Dei en deux parties – illustrant le savant mélange de solennité et d’innovation propre à Monteverdi.

Sous la direction inspirée de Harry Christophers et interprétée par le célèbre ensemble The Sixteen, cette édition capture l’esprit transformateur de la musique sacrée de Monteverdi. L'enregistrement, sublimé par la technologie numérique de haute qualité (DDD), offre une expérience auditive immersive qui restitue la résonance acoustique unique d’All Hallows, Gospel Oak.

Product Features

• Audio Format: Digital stereo (DDD) for unparalleled clarity and depth
• Packaging: Sleek CD case with extensive bilingual (English/French) liner notes and historical insights
• Performance Highlights:
  • The Sixteen delivers historically informed interpretations with pristine vocal blend
  • Organ accompaniment by Margaret Phillips enriches the sacred soundscape
  • Conducted by Harry Christophers, whose interpretive finesse illuminates Monteverdi’s dual-mass settings

Interesting Facts

English

• Historical Significance:
  • Monteverdi’s Mass settings mark a pivotal moment in the transition from Renaissance polyphony to the expressive innovations of the early Baroque period.
• Artistic Interpretation:
  • The recording features two distinct Masses that showcase both intimate chamber-like textures and more expansive, multi-voiced choral grandeur.
• Critical Acclaim:
  • Praised for its meticulous attention to detail and the emotional depth of the performances, this release stands as a benchmark in Monteverdi recordings.
• Visual & Design Elements:
  • The front illustration, “Three Hovering Angels” (from Meister der Hausbuches, 1460–1490), sourced from the Oeffentliche Kunstsammlung Basel, Kunstmuseum, reflects the timeless beauty and mystery of Renaissance art.

French Translation – Interesting Facts (Faits Intéressants)

• Importance Historique :
  • Les messes de Monteverdi marquent une étape décisive dans la transition entre la polyphonie de la Renaissance et les innovations expressives du début du Baroque.
• Interprétation Artistique :
  • Cet enregistrement propose deux messes distinctes, illustrant à la fois des textures intimistes et une majesté chorale expansive.
• Éloges Critiques :
  • Salué pour son souci du détail et la profondeur émotionnelle des interprétations, ce disque demeure une référence incontournable dans l’œuvre de Monteverdi.
• Éléments Visuels & de Design :
  • L’illustration de couverture, « Three Hovering Angels » (Meister der Hausbuches, 1460–1490), issue de l’Oeffentliche Kunstsammlung Basel, Kunstmuseum, reflète la beauté intemporelle et le mystère de l’art de la Renaissance.

Track Listing

Mass for Four Voices (1650)

1. Kyrie
2. Gloria – [4'34]
3. Credo – [6'05]
4. Sanctus – [2'32]
5. Benedictus – [1'34]
6. Agnus Dei – [3'00]
7. Cantate Domine (Motet) – [Track Length: 2:11]

Mass for Six Voices in Illo Tempore (1610)

1. Kyrie – [3'40]
2. Gloria – [5'47]
3. Credo – [10'06]
4. Sanctus – [2'24]
5. Benedictus – [1'33]
6. Agnus Dei I – [2'32]
7. Agnus Dei II – [2'23]

Publishers

Released by Hyperion Records Limited, London, England. Recorded at All Hallows, Gospel Oak, London on 9–10 May 1986. Designed by Terry Shannon with recording by Antony Howell, produced by Mark Brown, and executive produced by Edward Perry. Made in England with all rights reserved.

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Hashtags

English:

#MonteverdiMasses #TheSixteen #HarryChristophers #SacredMusic #RenaissanceMusic #HyperionRecords #DigitalAudio #CantateDomine #MassForFourVoices #MassInIlloTempore

French (Étiquettes):

#MessesMonteverdi #TheSixteen #HarryChristophers #MusiqueSacrée #MusiqueRenaissance #HyperionRecords #AudioNumérique #CantateDomine #MessePourQuatreVoix #MesseInIlloTempore