Palestrina Revealed Through World Premiere Recordings
By Ralph Graves
This is an aptly titled release. “Palestrina Revealed” features five world premiere recordings. So it reveals more of Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina’s artistry to the world.
Second, director Graham Ross had the Choir of Clare College, Cambridge record standing in a circle. These perfectly blended yet perfectly balanced performances reveal the artistry of Palestrina’s polyphony.
Ross also chose to intersperse contemporary British choral works into the program. These reveal Palestrina’s influence on English composers. They also show his influence on British choral traditions.
Missa Memor esto verbi tui a 5 was first published in 1972. Missa Emendemus in melius a 4 was published in the Missarum liber septimus (1594). Both are models of Palestrina’s art. The text is always clearly declaimed and easily understandable. And that holds true no matter how complex the polyphony becomes.
I was most impressed by the performances recorded here. There’s a luminous quality to the choir’s blend that suits this music. Yet each line was easy to follow throughout. There was also a nice balance of room ambiance. It made the voices sound full, without muddying the sound.
Well executed on every level.
Palestrina Revealed
Palestrina, Byrd, White, Mundy
Choir of Clare College, Cambridge; Graham Ross, director
Harmonia Mundi HMM 905375
