This is a very aggressive presentation, which has a certain "rightness" about it. Presenting the mass with various works of other types, including secular songs, is obviously not an authentic historical setting. However, the context it provides is one of a different sort.
The mass is sung by an ensemble of soloists, singing from separate individual parts. There is a great independence & audibility of line as a result, although this fact also contributes to the "rough around the edges" quality of the recording. I do think it is unfortunate that the organ incipts are included in the same tracks as the vocal polyphony, meaning one cannot program the mass alone.
Ultimately, this interpretation has a wonderfully communicative quality about it. The mass is distinctly easy to follow and understand, with ornamental passages clearly distinguished from major structural counterpoint. The declamatory style of the Gloria & Credo are quite simply the best I've heard. There is some roughness to the voices at times, but there is also an underlying "grittiness" which I like.
The songs and instrumental tracks are also enjoyable, showing a great deal of variety, and especially virtuosity in some of the instrumental ornaments and diminutions. Some tracks are of no real value, but then neither are some of the chants on the "service"-style presentations. One defect which cannot be waved away is the rather pedestrian sound quality on this budget label.
My choice of this rendition will prove controversial, I am sure, but I find too much to like about it. I admire Clemencic more by the year for the way he continues to adapt his style to more recent scholarship, and especially the energy he continues to bring to this music. The earliest of his Machaut recordings dates from at least 35 years ago. The Machaut mass also begins to be a piece which singers really have heard so many times that it becomes possible to personalize interpretations. We can hardly be said to be in an exploratory phase for this music now, someplace we remain for many later areas.
Todd M. McComb