Palestrina: Missa Benedicta Es

On this CD:

1. Benedicta es
Composed by Gregorian Chant

2. Benedicta es, coelourum regina, motet for 6 parts
Composed by Josquin Desprez

3. Missa Benedicta es, for 6 voices
Composed by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina

Tracks:

Plainchant Benedicta es
Benedicta es (Josquin des Pres)
Missa Benedicta es: Kyrie (Giovanni de Palestrina)
Gloria
Credo
Sanctus & Benedictus
Agnus Dei I & II
Missa Nasce la gioja mia : Kyrie (Palestrina)
Gloria
Credo
Sanctus & Benedictus
Agnus Dei I & II

Customer Reviews:

You can't go wrong with Palestrina.......2007-06-14

This is an exquisite recording of 2 of Palestrina's many masses, performed by The Tallis Scholars and conducted by Peter Phillips. They beautifully master the pure, clear tone required by 16-century compositions. This recording is an excellent addition to the collection of any classical music lover.

Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (4 March 1525 - 2 February 1594) was an Italian composer of Renaissance music. He was the most famous sixteenth-century representative of the Roman School of musical composition. Palestrina had a vast influence on the development of Roman Catholic church music, and his work can be seen as a summation of Renaissance polyphony.

Palestrina left hundreds of compositions, including 104 masses, 68 offertories, more than 300 motets, at least 72 hymns, 35 magnificats, 11 litanies, 4 or 5 sets of lamentations etc., at least 140 madrigals and 9 organ ricercari (however, recent scholarship has classed these ricercari as of doubtful authorship; Palestrina probably wrote no purely instrumental music). His Missa sine nomine seems to have been particularly attractive to Johann Sebastian Bach, who studied and performed it while he was writing his own masterpiece, the Mass in B Minor. His compositions are typified as very clear, with voice parts well-balanced and beautifully harmonized.

Palestrina at his best.......2006-07-25

Beautiful and tranquil music; the composer is second to none for this mood enhancing experience. Worth listening to when you need to chill out...

Average customer rating:

Painfully Unfortunate
Tasteful and Beautiful Choral Music
well, at least it was only $4

Desprez-Palestrina Motets/Masses

Manufacturer: Ent. Media Partners
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Masses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Motets | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Renaissance (c.1450-1600) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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Similar Items:

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Victoria: Masses
The Greatest Choral Music of Palestrina: Prince of Music

ASIN: B000002XB1
Release Date: 1997-10-23

Tracks:

Motetten: In principio erat verbum
Motetten: Benedicta es coelorum Regina
Missa Brevis: Kyrie
Missa Brevis: Gloria
Missa Brevis: Credo
Missa Brevis: Sanctus
Missa Brevis: Benedictus
Missa Brevis: Agnus Dei I
Missa Brevis: Agnus Dei II
Missa 'Tu es Petrus': Kyrie
Missa 'Tu es Petrus': Gloria
Missa 'Tu es Petrus': Credo
Missa 'Tu es Petrus': Sanctus
Missa 'Tu es Petrus': Benedictus
Missa 'Tu es Petrus': Agnus Dei

Customer Reviews:

Painfully Unfortunate.......2007-07-02

This disc offers worse-than-undistinguished rendition of two Josquin motets, and adequate renderings of two Palestrina masses.

The Josquin motets are just plain poorly done, by a choir that is clearly not up to the task. THe works are also poorly recorded. For some reason, they have added brass doubling on the parts. I've not heard much doubling of this kind in polyphony of this period, and this recording tells me why. It is very intrusive,at least as rendered by the Collegium Musicum Aldovadensis. A prior reviewer's comment on the "Puccini-esque" nature of the tenor section is quite appropriate. Somehow, having a chorus of Pavarotti wannabes singing Josquin doesn't work too well.

The Palestrina masses are significantly better. The Austrian Radio Choir is a much more competent ensemble than the previous group -- but there are just too many singers for them to render works of this period well. The second mass also features some unnecessary and obtrusive brass doubling, although it's not as poorly done in this instance as it was for the Josquin.

This recording is not worth the time it takes to listen to it. While the Palestrina is acceptable, the Josquin is just plain painful. If you're looking for bargain polyphony, the Naxos label has some excellent performances of this repertoire at a comparative price. Don't bother with this one.

Tasteful and Beautiful Choral Music.......2004-01-31

I've been listening to this CD for a number of days now, and I have to say that I think it is one of my favorite CD's in my collection. The pieces are very tastefully written, kind of reminds me of Christmas Chorals. Frankly, I can't understand how anyone could complain about it. For the money it is a great value.

well, at least it was only $4.......2003-09-10

I bought this disk as it was an Amazon recommendation after purchasing another disk.

Tracks:

Plainchant: Benedicta
Benedicta Es
Missa Benedicta Es: Kyrie
Missa Benedicta Es: Gloria
Missa Benedicta Es: Credo
Missa Benedicta Es: Sanctus & Benedictus
Missa Benedicta Es: Agnus Dei I & II

Customer Reviews:

A blessing in sound.......2003-08-04

--Plainchant--
Plainchant is basically another word for chant of Gregorian or other styles, being monophonic and in free rhythm. The particular piece here, Benedicta es, is a series of six verses musically paired. The first track on this CD presents the plainchant version without embellishment; perhaps as one would have originally heard it in a medieval monastery.

--Josquin des Pres Motet--
The motet of Benedictus es arranged by Josquin is similar to the simple plainchat, begun by soprano voices in each section and partial to long notes. Motets are important developments from plainchant, an early polyphonic form that emphasised a modal change away from free rhythm. Josquin des Pres was perhaps the greatest fifteenth century Dutch composer of such liturgical music. Schooled by famous teachers in great schools, he even spent time in a Papal choir in Rome as a singer. It is no surprise that Palestrina looked to Josquin for inspiration for his mass.

--Palestrina Missa Benedicta es--
Palestrina's Missa Benedicta es was a virtually unknown piece due to a miscategorisation and mislabeling of the work as Missa Sine Titulo (without title). The Benedicta es section leading the mass, however, is clearly influenced by Josquin's motet of the same. Palestrina is a master of polyphony and whereas the plainchant was a very simple, basic form and Josquin has duets and trios in parts, Palestrina wrote all 6 parts complete to contribute to each other's sound.

All of these pieces are wonderfully performed, and taken as a set, they make a wonderful snapshot of Roman Catholic/high Anglican sensibility from the time of religious upheaval due to the Reformation. They also serve to show a wonderful history of development from the simple to the complex, and the virtues of the music at each stage.

--Liner Notes--
Being internationally acclaimed, the Tallis Scholars' CDs typically present their commentary and texts in English, French, German and Italian (together with any Latin texts); that is true of this disc. The cover art also typically represents visual arts contemporary with the compositions - here it is a piece by Michaelangelo, who was a rough contemporary of Palestrina. One drawback is that there is little information on the Tallis Scholars or Peter Phillips in the booklet.

--The Tallis Scholars-
The Tallis Scholars, a favourite group of mine since the first time I heard them decades ago, are a group dedicated to the performance and preservation of the best of this type of music. A choral group of exceptional ability, I have been privileged to see them many times in public, and at almost every performance, their singing seems almost like a spiritual epiphany for me, one that defies explanation in words. Directed by Peter Phillips, the group consists of a small number of male and female singers who have trained themselves well to their task.

Tracks:

Missa de Beata Virgine I: Gaudeamus (Plainchant)
Missa de Beata Virgine I: Kyrie
Missa de Beata Virgine I: Gloria
Missa de Beata Virgine I: Benedicata (Plainchant)
Missa de Beata Virgine I: Ave maris stella
Missa de Beata Virgine I: Alleluia
Missa de Beata Virgine I: Credo
Missa de Beata Virgine I: Beata es Virgo Maria (Plainchant)
Missa de Beata Virgine I: Santcus
Missa de Beata Virgine I: Beata viscera (Plainchant)
Missa de Beata Virgine I: Agnus Dei I
Missa de Beata Virgine I: Agnus Dei II

Customer Reviews:

Like Heaven!!!.......2005-03-03

This music is something else. It's like being in heaven or something like that. I was already familiar with the music of Palestrina but this...blowed my mind away. All the voices join in perfect harmony. If you like sacred choral music, then this is, buy it, besides, the price is ridiculus.

moving music well recorded.......2002-11-23

As someone who has no musical education and who has not sampled different versions of this mass, I can only offer a wholly subjective opinion. The notes included offer a proper preparation for someone unfamiliar with Palestrina and made listening more rewarding. The recording attempts to be historically accurate, including only male voices. The combination of different musical styles incorporated by Palestrina make for a truly subime listening experience.

Palestrina, Plainchant, Josquin Desprez and others

Average customer rating:

A sublime expression of faith through music
Excellent, moving and inspiring CD

Palestrina, Plainchant, Josquin Desprez and others

Manufacturer: Gimell
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Chants | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Masses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Motets | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Renaissance (c.1450-1600) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0000041M3
Release Date: 1997-11-11

Tracks:

Plainchant: Bendedicta es - G. PALESTRINA
Motet: Missa bendicta es - G. PALESTRINA
Missa Benedicta es: Kyrie - G. PALESTRINA
Missa Benedicta es: Gloria - G. PALESTRINA
Missa Benedicta es: Creod - G. PALESTRINA
Missa Benedicta es: Sanctus & Benedictus - G. PALESTRINA
Missa Benedicta es: Agnus Dei I & II - G. PALESTRINA

Tracks:

Plainchant: Nigra sum - G. PALESTRINA
Motet: Nigra sum - G. PALESTRINA
Missa Nigra Sum: Kyrie - G. PALESTRINA
Missa Nigra Sum: Gloria - G. PALESTRINA
Missa Nigra Sum: Credo - G. PALESTRINA
Missa Nigra Sum: Sanctus & Benedictus - G. PALESTRINA
Missa Nigra Sum: Agnus Dei I & II - G. PALESTRINA
Missa Papae Marcelli: Kyrie - G. PALESTRINA
Missa Papae Marcelli: Gloria - G. PALESTRINA
Missa Papae Marcelli: Credo - G. PALESTRINA
Missa Papae Marcelli: Sanctus & Benedictus - G. PALESTRINA
Missa Papae Marcelli: Agnus Dei I & II - G. PALESTRINA

Tracks:

Missa Brevis: Kyrie - Palestrina
Missa Brevis: Gloria - Palestrina
Missa Brevis: Credo - Palestrina
Missa Brevis: Sanctus & Benedictus - Palestrina
Missa Brevis: Agnus Dei I & II - Palestrina
Madrigal: Nasce la gioja mia - Palestrina
Missa Nasce la gioja mia: Kyrie - Palestrina
Missa Nasce la gioja mia: Gloria - Palestrina
Missa Nasce la gioja mia: Credo - Palestrina
Missa Nasce la gioja mia: Sanctus & Benedictus - Palestrina
Missa Nasce la gioja mia: Agnus Dei I & II - Palestrina

Tracks:

Plainchant: Assumpta est Maria in caelum - Palestrina
Motet: Assumpta est Maria in caelum - Palestrina
Missa Assumpta est Maria: Kyrie - Palestrina
Missa Assumpta est Maria: Gloria - Palestrina
Missa Assumpta est Maria: Credo - Palestrina
Missa Assumpta est Maria: Sanctus & Benedictus - Palestrina
Missa Assumpta est Maria: Agnus Dei I & II - Palestrina
Motet: Sicut lilium inter spinus I - Palestrina
Missa Sicut lilium inter spinas: Kyrie - Palestrina
Missa Sicut lilium inter spinas: Gloria - Palestrina
Missa Sicut lilium inter spinas: Credo - Palestrina
Missa Sicut lilium inter spinas: Sanctus & Benedictus - Palestrina
Missa Sicut lilium inter spinas: Agnus Dei - Palestrina

Amazon.com

In 1995, on the occasion of the 400th anniversary of Palestrina's death, Gimell issued this mid-price collection of four excellent Tallis Scholars recordings of music by their "patron saint" composer (the choir's name notwithstanding). The contents of the set include the Masses Benedicta es, Nigra sum, Nasce la gioja mia, Assumpta est Maria, Sicut lilium, the Missa Brevis, and the legendary "Pope Marcellus" Mass. All of these works are reviewed more fully on pages for the individual discs (enter "Palestrina" and the name of a Mass in the "Keyword Search" line); it suffices to say that Palestrina himself couldn't have asked for a finer tribute. --Matthew Westphal

Customer Reviews:

A sublime expression of faith through music.......1999-01-25

Palestrina's music has a sublimity and intensity that has probably never been surpassed since (although Taverner comes close). The Tallis scholars' recording is a superb presentation of several of Palestrina's, unfortunately, lesser known pieces. I am fortunate to attend a Cathedral where Palestrina - particularly the Missa Brevis - is favoured by the Director of Music. The quality and clarity of this recording is equal to any live performance. An absolute bargain for four hours of unequalled beauty, and not to be passed up.

Excellent, moving and inspiring CD.......1999-01-18

The sonority of the cadences, the mellifluous blending of voices makes this the perfect CD for spiritual guidance. If you find chants enchanting, you'll find this CD unmatched its ability to rush you spectacularly into the presence of the numinous.