Comes: O Pretiosum Music for the Blessed Sacrament

Featuring

José Duce Chenoll
Amystis Choir
Juan Bautista Comes

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Composition History

Comes's output prominently features works dedicated to the Blessed Sacrament because he spent most of his working life in Valencian institutions.

Historical Context

Since 1437, Valencia Cathedral has housed the Holy Chalice, believed to be the cup used by Jesus Christ at the Last Supper, influencing Comes's Eucharistic devotion.

Compositional Technique

Comes's motets for the Feast of Corpus Christi are splendid pieces for double choir, with one choir of high voices providing dialogue and homophonic sections.

Recording & Production

Several pieces on this album, including 'O Pretiosum' and 'El amor que todo es fiestas', are first recordings.

Composer Biography

Juan Bautista Comes (1582-1643) was a significant composer of the early Spanish Baroque, linking Renaissance style with emerging Baroque techniques.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Comes learned the functional value of liturgical music and the importance of setting text to heighten its theological significance from musicians Ginés Perez and Ambrosio Cotes.

Compositional Technique

Comes's villancicos, a popular genre written in the vernacular, feature a structure of melody, refrain, and simple verses to communicate doctrinal messages.