The 24 songs of Josquin Desprez's Septiesme livre, from which much of this recording is taken, were published in 1545 by Antwerp printer Tylman Susato, more than twenty years after the composer's death.
Compositional Technique
Two motets on this album, Musæ Jovis by Nicolas Gombert and O mors inevitabilis by Hieronimus Vinders, are tributes to Josquin Desprez, incorporating musical models he used, such as the cantus firmus from the matins for the dead.
Instruments
The album features a Flemish Muselaar Moeder & Kind, a type of harpsichord, built by Andreas and Jacob Kilström in 2008-2010, modeled after a 1623 instrument by Ioannes Ruckers.
Compositional Technique
Josquin's chansons, particularly those in Susato's book, were designed to be adaptable for both voices and instruments, allowing for doubling, substitution, or complete replacement of voices by instruments like the lute, spinet, or organ.
Composer Biography
Josquin Desprez, the Franco-Flemish musician featured on this album, was born around 1450 in the county of Hainaut and died in 1521.
Recording & Production
This album was recorded in February 2020 at the Théâtre élisabéthain du Château d'Hardelot, with artistic direction and recording by Jiri Heger.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Josquin Desprez's genius lay in his ability to synthesize learned musical structures, such as contrapuntal elaborations and canons, with a new sensitivity for text and its musical expression.
You might also enjoy...
Grand Tour
Dixit Dominus - Händel, Lotti
Venice and Beyond: Concerti da Camera & Sonate Concertate for Woodwind Instruments
Lawes: Consorts in 4 and 5 Parts
Le Prince: Missa Macula non est in te
Dreyer: Sacred Music
Pietro Vinci: Ricercari a tre voci
Heinrich Albert's Pumpkin Hut
Purcell: Songs & Dances
Campana: Arie a una, due e tre voci
Rodio, Mayone, De Macque: Di voci affettuose, Ricercari napoletani
