Victoria: Missa Dum Complerentur Hymns & Sequences

Westminster Cathedral Choir; James O'Donnell, conductor

Tomás Luis de Victoria (1548-1611)
Veni Sancte Spiritus / Dum complerentur / Missa Dum complerentur / Popule meus / Vexilla regiz / Veni Creator Spiritus / Pange lingua glorosi / Lauda Sion salvatorem

Tomás Luis de Victoria was the greatest composer of the Spanish sixteenth-century 'golden age' of polyphonic music. This recording is of the six-voice Missa Dum complerentur, the five-part motet on which the Mass is based, and six further hymns and sequences including the great Popule meus, a setting of the Improperia (Reproaches) which form the heart of the liturgy for Good Friday. This is music of compelling beauty, which illustrates well Victoria's extraordinary capacity to create through simple homophony extremely moving music of great expressiveness.
CLASSIC CD 100 GREATEST DISCS OF THE DECADE / 'The greatest Spanish Renaissance composer is in the blood of this splendid choir--it's hard to imagine any group doing him greater justice. A very welcome addition to the catalogue' (Classic CD) / 'Maravillémonos de este nuevo monográfico de Victoria del mejor coro con niños del mundo' (CD Compact, Spain) / 'If your opportunity of hearing a first-rate choir sing this music in its liturgical context is limited, then listening to these splendid performances is the next best thing, and this is certainly a disc to treasure. It would be worth it for the soaring 'Amens' of the Credo alone!' (Organists' Review) / 'Once again, this is a superb and compelling disc that adds to our knowledge and appreciation of Victoria's art' (Gramophone)

Price: $12.98