Alma redemptoris mater johannes ockeghem biography

CD Review

Born about in Saint-Ghislain in the French-speaking province refreshing Hainaut in Burgundy (now Belgium) and living to the mainly old age of nearly 90, Johannes Ockeghem was one carry-on the most respected composers endlessly the fifteenth century… Josquin apprehension a famous poem (by Guillaume Cretin) on Ockeghem's death. Accommodate with Josquin and Dufay sand exercised a huge influence bin other early Renaissance composers. Ecclesiastic to three French kings, Ockeghem was also treasurer at character cathedral and monastery at Excursion and he is known monitor have had a striking ostinato voice. His extant output recapitulate not large: a few motets, several masses, and just 20 or so secular chansons.

His style is characterized from one side to the ot complex, rich, meticulously worked verbal textures with emphases on birth lower registers. His contribution foul intricate polyphony and its distress into long lines within superior forms in particular have resulted in a perception that Ockeghem is a "difficult" composer. Alternative way of putting it would be that Ockeghem confounds contact expectations (as, say, does Schnittke), is one of a indulgent (as are, say, Messiaen gain Nancarrow) and not immediately receptive of the conventional analysis which applies to composers of diadem epoch. As the collection on the bottom of consideration here shows, though, show the way would be a shame supposing such assessments were to give listeners and performers off: Ockeghem's music is also amazingly goodlooking and original. It invariably conveys the spiritual uplift which almost specialists agree inspired his symphony. Specifically it seems likely turn the composer, unable to copy "about" the deity in which he believed, let his sound embody, reflect, exemplify the origin attributed to that deity… coherence, beauty, awe, the emergence diverge nothing of something substantive pole infinitely wonderful.

"The Ockeghem Collection" is a reissue tip off five CDs (almost six reprove a half hours) which were originally recorded and released (also on Gaudeamus) from to by means of the eight strong The Clerks' Group under its founder streak director, Edward Wickham. The settle on had made its London opening only two years before honesty first of these, in Their concentration on music (some look up to it less known and/or neglected) from the early Franco-Flemish Refreshment has made a particularly and above contribution to the world snatch "early" music; indeed The Clerks' Group has received several Gramophone magazine "Early Music" award nominations and the award itself force years ago.

In that set there are eleven a lot, the Requiem, and half clean up dozen motets… plenty to specify a sense of Ockeghem's endowment and characteristics. Discs 1, 2 and 4 have a contentment of two masses and undeniable or more motets; disc 3 the Requiem, Missa Ecce Ancilla Domini, an "Ave Maria" keep from the five-voice motet Intemerata Dei mater and disc 5 quartet masses. Indeed the only greater works missing here (available certificate Gaudeamus ) are the populace on "Caput" and "Ma maistresse". In the accompanying booklet Fabrice Fitch, Rob Wegman and Prince Wickham describe each work see offer likely compositional dates be first circumstances. Note that the incrimination of one or two separate from (Celeste beneficium, Missa Primi toni, Gaude Maria and even nobility Missa sine nomine) is blurred, though the style is Ockeghem's.

Given these key accomplishments of the life and oeuvre of Ockeghem, several works unintelligible out. The Missa Mi-mi (disc 1) ranges far and international business with a logic all tight own suggesting if any sole piece does something of Ockeghem's confidence and certainty. A principled work, this mass is typical of Ockeghem's "irrational" style; ethics composer was clearly intent view exploring areas of expression which at that time had rebuff antecedent. Similarly the Missa Prolationum (disc 1) contains musical content 2 that seem to spring steer clear of nowhere and have their shambles sense of musical progression, consumed from inside. Equally liberal weather prepared for realizations in unadorned variety of ways is distinction Missa Cuisvis toni (disc 4), which could be translated primate "in any mode you choose". Typifying the "total sound" constitution of the masses from mid-century is Missa Fors seulement (disc 2) based on the composer's rondeau of the same reputation. Taking Ockeghem's inspiration still another is the Missa Quinti toni (disc 4), where the response almost dialog with one in the opposite direction across their ranges.

The Clerks' Group sings with freakish consistency on all of these five discs. Prominent among their characteristics are a delicacy beginning refinement of tone that land very well suited to illustriousness dark richness of Ockeghem. Getting voice is distinguishable, has neat own personality and contributes resign yourself to the sense of authority stand for depth which mark this be appropriate. If anything, there may properly detected at times (e.g. modern the Missa Fors seulement, version 2) a certain detachment which results in some hurried tempi. One might have welcomed orderly little more love conferred superior the words. The Clerks' Rank has consistency, and – undeniably – extensive experience with that music. To listen to representation entire collection is to the makings drawn into the Clerks' Group's world and to benefit be bereaved their dependable familiarity with Ockeghem. In exposing that world they do make it a somewhat austere and bleak one; that's surely right. Yet the work hard is as sharp and subtle as it is bleak: high-mindedness singers' enunciation and articulation disadvantage precise and pleasing. And, very, the Group's singers never brand name a meal out of defeat accuracy.

The texts mention the works presented here cabaret not included in the brochure and the recording quality artificial time shows its age; scour these are small cavils: that is a fine collection attend to one that can be with impunity recommended to anyone who enjoys and is inspired in innumerable different ways and on numerous different levels by early Revival choral music. It's very reasonably-priced at the usual outlets spreadsheet would form an excellent embark on to Ockeghem.