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Josquin - Missa Sine nomine & Missa Ad fugam

The perfect way to experience this fascinating music.

It is a remarkable acheivement that 35 years after its founding The Tallis Scholars should still be a leader in the field of Renaissance polyphony. Styles of vocal performance come and go but the group remains the quintessential expression of the English approach to early vocal music, with its emphasis on clarity and exemplary intonation and ensemble. In its latest offering Peter Phillips and his singers explore two interesting Masses of the flemish master Josquin des Pres (c. 1440-1521). These works are Josquin's only masses based entirely on the technique of canon, where a melody is presented in successive voice parts in an overlapping fashion. (A round is a simple sort of canon.)

In true Renaissance fashion, Josquin allows art to conceal art, and his canonic writing is not immediately discernible by the listener. This has no effect on enjoying the music, which is full of interesting textures. The Missa Sine Nomine comes from the end of Josquin's life and is a very polished setting of the Mass, while the Missa Ad fugam is believed to be an early attempt possibly reworked by the composer. (Alternative versions of the Sanctus and Agnus Dei are included for comparison.) The elegant objective style of The Tallis Scholars is the perfect way to experience this fascinating music.