Search - Pierre de la Rue, Gregorian Chant, Wilfried Rombach :: Pierre de la Rue: Requiem; Missa de Beata Virgine

Excellent but second choice!

Giordano Bruno | Wherever I am, I am. | 04/23/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ensemble Officium is a disciplined, vigorous choir with excellent ensemble technique and a very pleasing vocal timbre, especially the basses. However, there are two recordings of the de la Rue Requiem avaialble, and the other is superior in several ways. It's the 2005 release by The Clerks' Group, on a CD with another Requiem by Antoine Brumel, a stunningly dramatic piece. I "tested" my own taste by playing each movement of the two de la Rue Requiems for a group of six people, all of them frequent listeners and some frequent performers of Renaissance music. All six, though some more decisively than others, preferred The Clerks' Group. (The group included 3 Americans, 2 Germans and 1 Italian, so don't suspect Brit-chauvinism). All felt that the Clerks, though they chose uniformly slower tempi, sustained the rhetoric of their polyphonic lines more independently and thus more dramatically. There was also a matter of tuning. Officium performs very obviously in modern "tempered" tuning, suggesting that they rehearse with a piano. Because the mathematically consonant intervals, especially the thirds, are compromised and therefore "out of tune" in equal temperament, the tension between consonant and dissonant chords is obscured. That tension, alas, is one of the pleasures of Renaissance polyphony; one might say it's the organizing principle. The Clerks, either deliberately or by instinct based on their English boys' choir tradition, sing much more tunefully in a natural "mean" temperament. The result is a state of modal tension that resolves with great authenticity at cadences. I've tried to avoid technical jargon here, which isn't easy. The proof is in the pasta; buy both and compare them yourselves."

Excellent recording by Germany's leading Early Music choir

Sator | Sydney, Australia | 07/09/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Pierre de la Rue (c. 1450 -1518) is yet another exceptional Flemish composer of the Josquin generation. He was particularly prolific and his works are remarkably well disseminated throughout Europe, reflecting the exceptionally high esteem that he commanded in his day. He served a succession of prominent rulers and enjoyed remarkably good working conditions for a composer of his time. He enjoyed an international reputation by the 15th century and is mentioned as one of the composers uniting to mourn the death of Johannes Ockeghem in the Nymphes de Bois by Molinet.



The two works recorded here survive in the Jena library and originated out of the collection of a notable music lover of the times, Frederich the Wise - most famous in history as the protector of Martin Luther after he had been condemned by the Catholic Church. That is the main German connection with this recording by the most outstanding Early Music choir active in Germany today, the Ensemble Officium directed by Wilfred Rombach. The works they present here are both excellent choices that represent la Rue at his best. The Requiem was exceptionally widely disseminated, and was clearly one of the most famous masses of the time. The Missa de Beata Virgine is also a highly attractive work. Above all both are extremely beautifully performed here with beautiful tone, balance, intonation and phrasing throughout, with sound a little reminiscent of the Tallis Scholars in the earlier days when they still moulded their phrasing with richness and variety.



The Ensemble Officium are really an exciting and highly talented young mixed choral group that will only grow from strength to strength. Lets hope they continue to record more important repertoire from this period.



Lastly the recorded sound quality is very impressive. They have obviously found a venue with an excellent recording acoustic and this only enhances the attaction of this recording."