Manuel Cardoso: Missa Secundi Toni and Other Works
Manuel Cardoso (1566–1650) was one of the most important composers of the golden age of Portuguese polyphony around the turn of the seventeenth century. But modern choirs have been surprisingly slow to explore the rich legacy of his compositions: this is the first recording of his Missa Secundi Toni, and the first of any of his works with brass consort, its dark colours providing an effective contrast with the young voices of the Girton College Choir.
The Choir of Girton College, Cambridge (Tracks 1–2, 4–7)
Historic Brass of the Royal Academy of Music (Jeremy West, leader) (Tracks 1–5, 7 10–14, 16–17)
Lucy Morrell, organ (Tracks 1–5, 7–8, 10–13, 15–17)
Gareth Wilson, director (Tracks 1–7, 9–14, 16–17)
Listen To This Recording:
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CARDOSO Magni cat Octavi Toni*
- Magnificat Octavi Toni
- Sancta Maria
- Commissa mea pavesco
- Missa Secundi Toni: I Kyrie
- Missa Secundi Toni: II Gloria
- Ecce mulier Chananea
- Missa Secundi Toni: III Credo
- Obra de Segundo Tom
- Aquam quam ego dabo
- Missa Secundi Toni: IV Sanctus
- Missa Secundi Toni: V Benedictus
- Sitivit anima mea**
- Missa Secundi Toni: VI Agnus Dei
- Non mortui**
- Passo de Segundo Tom
- Magnificat Quinti Toni
- Commissa mea pavesco
DE BRITO Sancta Maria*
MORAGO Commissa mea pavesco*
CARDOSO Missa Secundi Toni*
ANON. Obra de Segundo Tom*
CARDOSO Aquam quam ego dabo
CARDOSO Missa Secundi Toni*
ANON. Passo de Segundo Tom*
CARDOSO Magni cat Quinti Toni*
MAGALHÃES Commissa mea pavesco**
*FIRST RECORDINGS
**FIRST RECORDINGS IN THIS VERSION
MusicWeb International :
‘The singing and playing is very fine […] and I have thoroughly enjoyed this recording. That is also due to the excellent quality of the music.
The fact that almost all the pieces on the programme are recorded here for the first time is a further strong argument in favour of this disc. This is a substantial addition to the discography and helps to enhance and deepen our knowledge of a musical culture which is still not fully known and appreciated.’
—Johan van Veen, MusicWeb International
Planet Hugill :
‘(★★★★)
The choir (25 voices) and instrumental ensemble (six cornetts & sacbuts plus organ) respond to the music’s particular qualities with a lovely gentle tonal palate.The young voices in the choir make a light, bright sound and the lack of edge suits the music well, and in most of the music (a few of the motets are unaccompanied), they are admirably supported by the instruments which add an interesting range of colours. That is not to say that the music is performed with a boring blandness, and the style of performance includes a nice sense of vibrancy in the line. The recording is relatively distant with a strong sense of the acoustic, this performance very much places the listener firmly in the nave of the chapel rather than the tendency with many modern recordings to give a sense of sitting right on top of the choir. […]
[This album] is a highly evocative disc. […]
This disc is a fine achievement. Gareth Wilson and his team bring out the very particular quality of Portuguese polyphony of the period, in performances which combine tonal variety with a sense of the serenity of Cardoso’s idiom.’
—Robert Hugill, Planet Hugill
Planet Hugill :
‘Schwarz and Buckley play on a pair of well matched harpsichords in the Von Nagel harpsichord workshop in Paris. Their touch is well matched too, so that you can enjoy the richness of the two-harpsichord experience, with vivid interplay and a nicely balanced view of ornamentation.’
—Robert Hugill, Planet Hugill