Ockeghem: Masses on secular songs

Ockeghem: Au travail suis / De plus en plus
Tallis Scholars - Peter Phillips
Gimell 454 935
Gimell CDGIM 035

Contents:

  1. Binchois: De plus en plus (chanson à 3)

  2. Ockeghem: Missa De plus en plus (ATTB x 2)
  3. Kyrie
  4. Gloria
  5. Credo
  6. Sanctus & Benedictus
  7. Agnus Dei I, II & III
  8. Barbingant or Ockeghem: Au travail suis (chanson à 3)

  9. Ockeghem: Missa Au travail suis (SABB x 2)
  10. Kyrie
  11. Gloria
  12. Credo
  13. Sanctus & Benedictus
  14. Agnus Dei I, II & III

Performers: Sally Dunkley (soprano, alto), Tessa Bonner (soprano), Caroline Trevor (alto), Robert Harre-Jones (alto), David Gould (alto), Philip Cave (tenor), Leigh Nixon (tenor), Steven Harrold (tenor), Tom Phillips (tenor), Robert Macdonald (bass), Stephen Charlesworth (bass), Donald Greig (bass), Francis Steele (bass)

Playing time: 64'

Release date: January 1997

Excerpts:
[8]-[12] Gimell CDGIM 211 [CD] The Tallis Scholars Sing Flemish Masters

Reviewed in:
Fanfare (Vol./#-p.): 20/6- (July / August 1997)

Each of Ockeghem's masses is almost shockingly unique in its conception, and here we are presented with a pair on tenors from courtly songs. While other composers of the era frequently used this material for their masses, it is rather less common for Ockeghem. The Missa De plus en plus is laid out in a grand formal scheme, whereas the Missa Au travail suis is more modest in scope.

This recording is part of the 500-year Ockeghem anniversary. Performance is two singers to a part, with slightly different ensemble in each mass. Chansons are one singer to a part.

The Missa De plus en plus had been neglected until the late 1990s, but three other recordings appeared together with the present one:

Ockeghem: Missa De plus en plus
The Clerks' Group - Edward Wickham
AS&V "Gaudeamus" 153
Ockeghem: Missa De plus en plus / Missa Fors seulement
Schola Discantus - Kevin Moll
Lyrichord 8029
Ockeghem: Missa De plus en plus & Chansons
Orlando Consort
DG Archiv 453 419

The first two recordings are part of Ockeghem series, which can be referenced from the links above.

Finally, a recording by the present ensemble devoted to Jacob Obrecht (1457/8-1505), a composer who is the only serious rival of Ockeghem for large-scale contrapuntal invention:

Obrecht: Missa Maria zart
Tallis Scholars - Peter Phillips
Gimell 454 932

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Todd M. McComb