Maestros Del Siglo De Oro - Masters From The Golden Century

CRISTOBAL DE MORALES (1500-1553): wrote music of an austere manner for the Church as heard on this disc via "Officium Defunctorum" , "In Secundo Nocturno" and "Missa Pro Defunctis" performed herein by: La Capella Reial De Catalunya= four countertenors, four tenors, four baritones and two basses. Accompaiment Hesperion XX This disc is my personal favorite mainly because the music is so smooth with no sharp treble edges; take note all the singers are male ( I do like female voices, but not in this type of setting. Each disc in this package varies the singers as well as the instruments. FRANCISCO GUERRERO (1528-1599): wrote secular pieces as well as the usual sacred works; this disc includes only his sacred compositions such as "Ave Maria", "Pater Noster" and "O Laudate Dominum", mostly short works. Vocal ensemble includes: two sopranos, one mezzo soprano, one male contralto, three countertenors, four tenors, one baritone and two basses; accompanied by Hesperion XX. TOMAS LUIS DE VICTORIA (1548-1611): wrote only sacred music; his first twenty masses are among the finest examples of Renaissance music, and his Office for Holy Week has a drama and poignancy rarely equaled during the 16th century; this disc includes some very familiar works such as his "Ave Maria", "Salve , Regina" and "O Magnum Mysterium". Most examples are short works with all sorts of vocal combinations present Vocal Ensemble: two sopranos, one Mezzo soprano, one contralto, three countertenors, two tenors, two baritones and one bass. accompanied by a smaller group of Hesperion XX. As is usual with Savall, the packaging is beyond reproach including as it does all details of the recording: who is performing when and in what framework. JUST TERRIFIC! And the implementation beyond belief in its perfection. Booklet languages: Spanish, English, French, German and Latin.