Pierre De La Rue: Missa De Feria

Gothic Voices; Christopher Page, conductor; with Christopher Wilson & Shirley Rumsey, lutes

Pierre de La Rue (c1452-1518)
Missa De Feria / O Domine, Jesu Christe / Pater de celis Deus / Regina celi / Missa Sancta Dei genitrix / Salve regina

While most of us might regard Pierre de La Rue as a composer of 'early' music, for Dr Page and his Gothic Voices this is bordering on the avant garde: this recording represents a leap forward a century from the group's more accustomed repertoire, and the results are impressive to say the least.
La Rue was remarkably prolific; at least twenty-nine Masses can be ascribed to him with confidence, and the Missa De Feria and Missa Sancta Dei genitrix are among the finest. His music is full of imitation, a sense of choreography, and is coloured by a fondness for particularly low registers.
In addition to the two Masses, this disc includes the large-scale Pater de celis Deus, arguably the grandest of La Rue's motets and a work full of counterpoint in its three-part, six-voice canon, and three other motets performed as lute intabulations in editions specially prepared for this recording by Christopher Wilson.
'Gothic Voices have once again opened a window on a forgotten world' (BBC Music Magazine)
'A revelation, not only of top-rate neglected music, but also how it should sound. A perfect marriage of musical style and scholarship. Insight and enjoyment hand in hand' (Classic CD)
'The beauty and integrity of La Rue's music warrant a strong recommendation' (Gramophone)

Price: $16.98