Lassus's Prophetiae Sibyllarum is notable for its unusual harmony, which was unparalleled in contemporary practice and has been the subject of intense analysis.
Historical Context
The Council of Trent (1545-1563) may have discouraged the use of sibylline texts in choral works, as such material could be deemed heretical by ecclesiastical authorities.
Performer Biography
Gallicantus has released five CDs on the Signum label, with previous recordings earning accolades such as 'Editor's Choice' from Gramophone Magazine and a Gramophone Award nomination.
Recording & Production
This album includes contemporary responses to Lassus's work, such as Dmitri Tymoczko's 'Prophetiae Sibyllarum' and Elliot Cole's 'I saw you under the fig tree', which originated from a Princeton University graduate class.
Performer Biography
Gallicantus, the performing ensemble, holds regular residencies at Princeton and Yale Universities and made its Carnegie Hall debut in New York in 2017.
Historical Context
The sibyls, being women, may have faced discrimination from powerful male figures in the Church, leading to suspicion and suppression of their mystical writings.
Compositional Technique
Lassus's work avoids the close occurrence of the tritone or diminished fifth in the vocal lines, which was a common concern for composers of the era.
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