Description
In this album, Cappella Pratensis returns to the very first polyphonic settings of the mass of death in history.
The Requiems by Johannes Ockeghem (c. 1410-1497) and Pierre de la Rue (c. 1452-1518) are an ideal pair as they are the oldest surviving polyphonic versions of the mass of death composed in the Low Countries. Both De la Rue (ca. 1460-1518) and Ockeghem (ca. 1420-1497) have composed a Requiem in which pure austerity is combined with elegance and ingenuity.
La Rue is clearly inspired by his older colleague, he follows his austere yet sounding style. Both works were highly praised, with Ockeghem’s work being described as “exquisite et tres parfaicte” (exquisite and perfect) and De la Rue’s as “the most beautiful Musik, die man hören konnte” (the most sound music you can hear). The leading French magazine Diapason gave this CD five stars (highest rating).
