Isaac - Natalis Domini

Isaac: Natalis Domini
Ensemble de' Medici - Keller Coker
RCM 19501

Contents:

  1. Quis dabit capiti meo aquam (1492; 4 voices, 4 viols)
  2. A la bataglia (4 viols)
  3. Sancti spiritus (1507; soprano, 3 viols)
  4. Imperii proceres (1507; 4 voices, 2 lutes)
  5. Carmen in Sol (lute, 2 viols)
  6. Wohlaff, gut g'sell (recorder, 2 lutes, 3 viols)

    7. Missa Natalis Domini (4 voices)
  7. Introit: Puer natus est
  8. Alleluia dies sanctificatus
  9. Sequence: Per quem
  10. Communion: Viderunt omnes
  11. Isbruck, ich muss dich lassen (recorder)
  12. La mi la sol (recorder, sackbut, 2 lutes)
  13. O Maria, mater Christi (2 voices, 2 viols, lute)
  14. Isbruck, ich muss dich lassen (soprano)

Performers: Kris Gould (soprano), Dana Marsh (countertenor), J. Lee Graham (tenor), Robert Shacklett (baritone), Mark Sumner (bass), James Tyler (lute, viol), Nina Treadwell (lute), Todd French (viols), Robert Tueller (viol), Denise Briesé (viol), Niki Carras (recorders), Keller Coker (viol, sackbut)

Playing time: 63'

Recording date: November 1994

The present recording illustrates the broad range of genres making up Isaac's huge output. The Missa Natalis Domini opened a collection of Propers settings by Isaac, the Choralis Constantinus published in 1509, which together with the Magnus liber of Léonin, and the Gradualia of Byrd was one of the most massive musical projects (with more than 300 settings) in Western history.

The present recording also includes a selection of instrumental and secular works. Some other recordings illustrating this aspect of Isaac's output:

Isaac: Vocal & Instrumental Music
Amherst Festival Choir / Amherst Faculty - Patricia Petersen
AEM Festival Recordings 101
Tugend und Untugend (Virtue and Vice)
German Secular Songs and Instrumental Music from the Time of Luther
Convivium Musicum / Ensemble Villanella - Sven Berger
Naxos 8.553352
Musica a Firenze
The Time of Lorenzo the Magnificent
Insieme Vocale e strumentale L'Homme Armé - Fabio Lombardo
Christophorus 77132

Finally, other recordings by the present ensemble:

Lassus: La Cortesia
Ensemble de' Medici - Keller Coker
RCM 19502
Frescobaldi: Begli occhi io non provo
Ensemble de' Medici - Keller Coker
RCM 19401

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Todd M. McComb