Giovanni Pierluigi Da Palestrina

by David Manuel

Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, hailed through the centuries as "prince and father of music," wrote music of unsurpassed grace and beauty.

Glori Dei Cantores, under the direction of Elizabeth Patterson, presents eight sublime works by Italian composer Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestina. The rarely performed Missa Beata Mari Virginis II is heard here in its debut recording. Missa "Descendit Angelus Domini" is included on this recording, as well as five of his most exquisite motets. Super Flumina Babylonis, Ad Te levavi oculos meos, Miserere nostri Domine, Sicut cervus, and Sitivit anima mea, are performed by a smaller ensemble drawn from the larger choir, in accordance with the style and acoustic ambience of Palestrinian polyphony.

The recording closes with the eight-part Jubilate Deo for two choirs, a majestic conclusion to this disc originally recorded by Glori Dei Cantores in 1993 in commemoration of the 400th anniversary of Palestrina's death. This album contains the only existing recording of his Missa "Descendit Angelus Domini" and the Missa Beatae Mariae Virginis II.

"Even an atheist can be moved by the riches of this music, especially when so astounding in performance and recording. If we have ever had a finer Palestrina recording available, I've not heard it." In Tune Magazine

• Format: Audio CD
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1557252408
• ISBN13: 9781557252401
• Release Date: January 2005
• Publisher: Paraclete Press
• Length: 1 Pages
• Weight: 0.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 5.0" x 0.4" x 5.6"