Carver: Scottish Renaissance Polyphony

Scottish Renaissance Polyphony
Carver: 10-part Mass / 2 Motets
Cappella Nova - Alan Tavener
AS&V Gaudeamus 124

Contents:

  1. Motet: O bone Jesu (à 19)

    2. Missa Dum sacrum mysterium (à 10)
  2. Gloria
  3. Credo
  4. Sanctus & Benedictus
  5. Agnus Dei
  6. Motet: Gaude flore Virginali (à 5)

Playing time: 62'

Release date: 1991

Robert Carver (c.1484-c.1568) is still considered by many to have been Scotland's greatest composer. The 19-part O bone Jesu is probably his best known piece, and a famous example. He has a unique style, and a fine command of the florid style of the era.

This first volume contains all three of Carver's strongest pieces, although the others also have their unique merits:

Carver, Vol. 2
6-part Mass, Missa L'Homme Armé (a 4)
Cappella Nova - Alan Tavener
AS&V Gaudeamus 126
Carver, Vol. 3
Missa Fera Pessima, Missa Pater Creator Omnium
Cappella Nova - Alan Tavener
AS&V Gaudeamus 127

These 3 CDs are also available as a boxed set.

A more recent release by this ensemble:

Music from the Carver Choirbook
Mass "Deus creator omnium" / Mass for three voices / Magnificat
Cappella Nova - Alan Tavener
AS&V "Gaudeamus" 342

Another recording devoted to Carver:

Carver: Mass Dum sacrum mysterium / Magnificat / O bone Jesu
The Sixteen - Harry Christophers
Coro 16051

Other recordings of Scottish polyphony of the period:

Johnson: Laudes Deo
Capella Nova - Alan Tavener
AS&V Gaudeamus 154
Sacred Music for Mary Queen of Scots
Scottish Renaissance Polyphony, Vol. 4
Capella Nova - Alan Tavener
AS&V Gaudeamus 136
Columba, Most Holy of Saints
Scottish Medieval Plainchant
Capella Nova - Alan Tavener
AS&V Gaudeamus 129
Miracles of St. Kentirgen
Capella Nova - Alan Tavener
AS&V Gaudeamus 169

The first citation above features Robert Johnson (c.1500-c.1560), while the second continues the present Carver series (with music which might be attributed to him) along with some other examples in similar style. The latter two move into the realm of plainchant.

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To FAQ references to this recording.

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Todd M. McComb