Track Listing

1. Tribulatio et angustia [8'58] Nicolas Gombert (c1495-c1560)
2. Hortus conclusus es [4'34] Nicolas Gombert (c1495-c1560)
3. Aspice Domine [10'40] Nicolas Gombert (c1495-c1560)
4. Virgo sancta Katherina [3'02] Nicolas Gombert (c1495-c1560)
5. Inviolata [1'44] Anonymous - liturgical
6. Inviolata, integra, et casta es, Maria [7'43] Nicolas Gombert (c1495-c1560)
7. Ne reminiscaris, Domine [5'57] Nicolas Gombert (c1495-c1560)
8. Pater noster [5'07] Nicolas Gombert (c1495-c1560)
9. Ave Maria [4'32] Nicolas Gombert (c1495-c1560)
10. Ergone vitae [7'11] Nicolas Gombert (c1495-c1560)
11. Ave sanctissima Maria [6'37] Nicolas Gombert (c1495-c1560)

Programme Notes

This is The Brabant Ensemble's third disc for Hyperion. Under their director, eminent musicologist Dr Stephen Rice, they continue to excavate jewels of the sixteenth-century choral repertoire which have until now remained under-performed and under-represented in music history. Their natural and instinctive performing style, which foregrounds the essential vocal qualities of this music, unlike the instrumental tone of other early music choirs, brings these beautiful and complex works abundantly to life. Gombert's motets are the heart of his writing and this selection of them allows the range of his musical accomplishments to fully emerge. Often seen as written in penance for heinous crimes committed by the composer, many of them are settings of various texts of penitence, sorrow and yearning for deliverance from punishment. Images such as the 'hellish lake' in Tribulatio et angustia are dramatically explored. Also on this disc are motets for the adulation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which surprisingly demonstrate an especially intensified and dissonant musical style, showing the almost erotic level of devotion suggested in some of the greatest art of this period.

Texts and Translations

Coming Soon

Reviews

Nicolas Gombert, Tribulatio et angustia: Four- and Five-part Motets (Hyperion CDA 67614, September 2007)
 “These shapely and well-paced performances do full justice to Gombert's outstanding talent.”
The Daily Telegraph

“Barely a minute has passed before the first of many dark spots of extreme and focused dissonance, yet such harmonic knots never tie up the line, which may be why I never felt overburdened by the predominant moods of Marian supplication and personal lamentation…Arise, make haste, as they sing, and hear this music.”
(Gramophone)

“Immaculately crafted music-making…this is impressively accomplished ensemble singing”
(International Record Review)

Performers

Coming Soon