Stella: Renaissance Gems and their Reflections, Vol. 3

Featuring

Suzi Digby
ORA Singers
Anonymous (Gregorian Chant)
Tomás Luis de Victoria
Mark Simpson
Alexander Campkin

Francisco Coll
Cecilia McDowall
Will Todd
Julian Wachner

Did you know?

1/7

Composition History

Several contemporary works on this album, including pieces by Mark Simpson, Alexander Campkin, Francisco Coll, and Julian Wachner, were commissioned by ORA Singers and are world premiere recordings.

Album & Artwork

This album, titled 'Stella', is the third volume in the 'Renaissance Gems and their Reflections' series.

Composer's Artistic Vision

The album's concept explores how composers, both past and present, find inspiration in the works of their predecessors, creating a dialogue between old and new music.

Compositional Technique

Victoria's music for the divine office often called for 'alternatim' performance, where plainchant verses alternate with polyphony or instrumental sections, showcasing a dialogue between ancient melodies and his individual compositional voice.

Composer Biography

Victoria's first book of thirty-three motets, published in Venice in 1572, immediately established him at the forefront of composers in Rome.

Critical Reception

Despite his significant output, Victoria is often mistakenly known through an inferior four-voice setting of 'Ave Maria' composed by Jacob Handl Gallus, which is spuriously attributed to him.

Composer Biography

Tomás Luis de Victoria, often considered the greatest Spanish composer, dedicated his life to the church as an organist, composer, priest, and scholar.