On this Disc

The pieces on this recording are a sample of DISCANTVS’ repertoire, which is largely sacred and from the fifteenth to eighteenth centuries.

As a group, we enjoy performing music which has a certain gravitas, that rather elusive factor where the music seems to enable the singer and listener to hear something beyond the notes so that the beauty of the music acts as a sort of portal.

If this depth is indeed there in the music, then the composer is the one who has in fact opened the door and so one of the endeavours of the choir is to allow the music to speak and not overlay it with “our” performance. Who are these composers?

Two Englishmen feature strongly in our work, Peter Philips (1560 – 1628) and Richard Dering (c1580 – 1630), both practising Catholics in an era of Protestant revolution and religious upheaval across England. Both show an awareness of the developing Italianate style of the early C16.

Alongside, we place Robert Ramsey (fl. 1616 – 44) William Byrd (1543 -1623), Tallis (c1505 – 1585) and Robert Parsons (? – 1570) and two continental composers, Hans Leo Hassler (1564 – 1612) and Thomás Luis de Victoria (1548 – 1611).

This selection is interspersed with vocal and instrumental interludes (Nos 1, 4. 6, 9, 16, 17).  Vocal interludes are rounds or extracts from larger works which we have enjoyed singing in an odd moment, such as at a mealtime, in a square in Madrid or on a coach journey. Two of the recorder pieces are in fact madrigals.

The final piece is a setting of a collect from Evensong by one of our singers, David Goymour. We have delighted in singing this in a number of English cathedrals.

Recorded at Waterperry House, Oxfordshire, February and June 2010 by Discantvs.
In the Artist’s Hall.
Engineered and edited by Adrian Green and Adaq Khan.
Produced by Adrian Green.

Track Listing

01    Benedite il Signor Emilio de’ Cavalieri (1550-1602) 0.29
02    Dixit Maria Hans Leo Hassler (1564-1612) 3.04
03    Ave Maria Robert Parsons (1535-1571/2) 4.30
04    Musica est Dei Orlando de Lassus (1530/2-1594) 1.02
05    O Sapientia Robert Ramsey (1590′s-1694) 2.27
06    Now is the month of maying Thomas Morley [Recorders] (1557/8-1602) 0.57
07    Tibi Laus Peter Philips (1561-1628) 3.31
08    O nata lux Thomas Tallis (1505-1585) 2.04
09    Audite, Silete Michael Praetorius (1571-1621) 1.41
10    The Silver Swan Orlando Gibbons [Recorders] (1583-1625) 1.13
11    Deo Gratias William Byrd (1539-1623) 0.39
12    Ne Timeas Tomás Luis de Victoria (1548-1611) 3.21
13    Jubilate Deo Peter Philips (1561-1628) 3.10
14    Ave Virgo Gloriosa Richard Dering (1580-1630) 2.40
15    O Magnum Mysterium William Byrd (1539-1623) 2.36
16    Alta Trinita Beata anon. 1.13
17    Alamaine Richard Dering [Recorders] (1580-1630) 1.58
18    Jubilate Deo Richard Dering (1580-1630) 2.51
19    Lighten our darkness David Goymour 2.51

Total running time 42.08 minutes