Magnificat, Motets & Lamentations

MARBECKS STAFF PICK - BEST RECORDINGS 2008
Gramophone Award Finalist 2009 - Early Music
GRAMOPHONE CRITICS' CHOICE

'Music of astonishing beauty and rapt polyphonic intensity, which the voices of the Brabant Ensemble unfold with perfect poise' (The Guardian)

'Rice and his ensemble reveal a composer of warmth and passion who could also write resplendently joyful music when required … The whole recital is marked by an extraordinary unanimity of ensemble, security of intonation and intelligence that suprass all rivals in the repertory. In short, this is a valuable and exquisitely sung addition to the Morales discography' (International Record Review)

"…the Brabant Ensemble… turn in very solid readings, subdued or serene, as text and music demand. In the Magnificat, the intensity steps up a notch, reaching an impressive climax. …the ensemble quality here belies the fact that only four voices are involved (except at the very end) this is the Brabant Ensemble at their most vigorous and confident." Gramophone Magazine, November 2008

Morales was the first Spanish composer to achieve true international fame, and was described by contemporaries as 'the light of Spain in music'. Although he is relatively well-represented in recordings, a few pieces have attracted the attention of performers at the expense of the majority of his output. This recording aims to begin filling that gap by presenting works which are so far underexposed, yet which are of extremely high quality.

The longest work on this disc is the Magnificat primi toni. In 1542 Morales wrote a set of eight Magnificats (one in each of the 'tones'-'keys', in modern terms). The prevailing liturgy of the day, however, required the canticle to be sung alternatim, with alternate verses sung to plainchant; to adhere to this, and perhaps to double his earnings, Morales split his compositions in half for publication-apparently two Magnificats per 'tone', each with half the verses only set to music. And so it has remained to this day. This is the first recording of any of Morales's Magnificats to present the entire work as the composer originally intended.

The Brabant Ensemble and Stephen Rice are rapidly confirming themselves as major contenders in the field of Renaissance polyphony. Their performances and recordings are praised both for the integrity of their scholarship and also for their unique vocal balance. This is the group's fourth recording for Hyperion, and one which we expect to be as favourably received as have been their discs of Crecquillon, Manchicourt and Gombert.