Graham Ross and the Choir of Clare College, Cambridge celebrate the 500th anniversary of Palestrina’s birth with five world-premiere recordings of still little-known works: the Magnificat secundi toni a 5; two motets: Ad te levavi oculos meos a 12, Memor esto verbi tui a 5; and two mass settings: Missa Memor esto verbi tui a 5 and Missa Emendemus in melius a 4. For context, they pair settings of the same texts by three of Palestrina’s English contemporaries: William Byrd, Robert White, and William Mundy.


The upcoming 500th anniversary of Giovanni Pierliugi de Palestrina’s birth has prompted several excellent recordings of his music. The Choir of Clare College Cambridge and director Graham Ross emphasize the clarity of Palestrina’s soaring vocal lines, his rich harmonies and complex rhythms on this album, which includes five world-premiere recordings.
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