MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Victoria: Officium Defunctorum

Magnificat delivers a hypnotically gripping performance of Victoria's Requiem Mass, a work that remains an inspiration to listeners over 400 years since its composition. Originally released in 1996, 'Victoria: Officium Defunctorum' has been re-issued as part of Linn's ECHO series which offers a second chance to enjoy the best of the label's award-winning catalogue. Composed for the funeral of his employer, Victoria weaves a tender, glowing musical tribute to the Dowager Empress Maria around the ancient plainsong melodies of the Requiem Mass. This recording of Victoria's Officium Defunctorum was named 'Critics' Choice' by Gramophone and chosen by The Rough Guide as one of its '100 Essential Classical CDs'.

Magnificat is one of the world's premier vocal ensembles whose recordings have met with huge critical acclaim: Spem in alium was hailed as 'quite the best performance of Tallis's 40-part Spem in alium that I have heard' by Gramophone and was 'First Choice' in Building A Library on BBC Radio 3's CD Review. Directed by Philip Cave, Magnificat specialises in the restoration and performance of neglected choral masterpieces of the 16th and 17th centuries.
In association with Linn Records, Magnificat has undertaken many highly successful recording projects of music from 'The Golden Age', including works by Gesualdo, Guerrero, des Prez, Rebelo, Victoria, Allegri, Tallis and Da Palestrina, as well as Latin sacred music by Robert Parsons, Robert White and William Byrd and two recordings to commemorate the 450th anniversary of composer Philippe Rogier.