The Missa Ecce Ancilla Domini is an exceptional work, and sufficient to make this recording worthwhile on its own. It is one of Ockeghem's best, and makes a nice companion to that of Dufay. The other pieces are also worthwhile, but the Missa Ecce Ancilla Domini carries the program.
This recording predates the Clerks' series on AS&V, and in some ways is preferable to the early recordings in that series. It is a rather dull performance, not showing much recognition or confidence, but it does avoid the overinflated climaxes and gratuitous dynamic shifts which marked their next set of recordings. It tends to lag at times, but is generally clear and does nothing willfully bad.
The program makes the listing here, as the Missa Ecce Ancilla Domini is a favorite. I also prefer the bass singing in this constitution of the ensemble. One way I might describe the position of this recording in the discography is as a non-interpretation, whereas the Clerks' next set of performances are anti-interpretations. As time goes on, they adopt an approach to the music more in keeping with my own, something I consider inevitable.
Todd M. McComb