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Andrew Palmer
Group Editor
1:01 AM 11th November 2023
arts
Review

Classical Music: Ludwig Daser Missa Pater Noster & Other Works

 
Ludwig Daser Missa Pater noster & Other works

Benedictus Dominus; Pater noster; Missa Pater noster;
Ave Maria; Ad te levavi oculos meos; Dilexi, quoniam;
Danck sagen wir alle; Daran gedenck Jacob und Israel;
Salvum me fac; Fracta diuturnis; Fratres, sobrii estote;
Christe, qui lux es et dies.


Cinquecento
Renaissance Vokal
Terry Wey countertenor; Achim Schulz, Tore Tom Denys tenor; Tim Scott Whiteley baritone; Ulfried Staber bass

with
Franz Vitzthum, Filip Dámec countertenor; Thomáš Lajtkep tenor; Colin Mason baritone; Joel Frederiksen bass.

Hyperion CDA68414
https://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/


The opening of this disc perfectly sets the scene with stunning, resonant singing of the highest quality.
The group comprises just five professional singers from five European countries, who are joined on this disc for the double choir items by a quintet of equally fine voices. Cinquecento takes its name from the Italian term for the sixteenth century, a period the group specialises in performing.

There were three Kapellmeister’s at the Munich court chapel during the sixteenth century: Ludwig Senfl (1489/91-1543), Ludwig Daser (1526-1589), and Orlande de Lassus (1530/32-1594). Daser has, to this day, remained the least known.

Cinquecento is rectifying this with its latest Hyperion disc recorded at Kirche unserer Lieben Frau, Adlersberg, Germany. I turned to Daniel Glowotz’s interesting notes to find out more about Daser.

He came from a family of Munich fishermen who, as purveyors to the court, were closely connected with the Bavarian ducal family. He received his musical education at the Munich court chapel, first as a chorister and later, probably, as a composition pupil of Senfl.

Cinquecento’s programme includes the substantial Missa Pater noster, i and a selection of Latin motets and German chorale settings which the group hope will illustrate a variety of styles and genres from both.

His splendid polyphonic compositions should be more widely known, as they are magnificently sung with illumination and wonderful clarity. The parts skillfully interweave, creating an atmospheric musical feast of sonorous music. The balance between parts is flawless.

Cinquecento is an accomplished choir that gives beautiful and elegant performances with marvellously constructed phrasing and dynamics.

This is a great addition to Hyperion's superb collection of recordings of the period as well as being a pleasant introduction to Daser.