PIERRE DE LA RUE (c1452–1518)

Missa De Feria

Missa Sancta Dei genitrix

Gothic Voices / Christopher Page

with Christopher Wilson & Shirley Rumsey – lutes

Missa De Feria

1 Kyrie [3'13]

2 Gloria [3'56]

3 Credo [7'52]

4 Sanctus [6'12]

5 Agnus Dei [4'41]

6 O Domine, Jesu Christe [2'43] lutes

7 Pater de celis Deus [9'36]

8 Regina celi [4'06] lutes

Missa Sancta Dei genitrix

9 Kyrie [2'12]

10 Gloria [3'39]

11 Credo [6'14]

12 Sanctus [4'26]

13 Agnus Dei [2'21]

14 Salve regina [3'25] lutes

While most of us might regard Pierre de La Rue as a composer of ‘early’ music, for Dr Page and his Gothic Voices this is bordering on the avant garde: this recording represents a leap forward a century from the group’s more accustomed repertoire, and the results are impressive to say the least.

La Rue was remarkably prolific; at least twenty-nine Masses can be ascribed to him with confidence, and the Missa De Feria and Missa Sancta Dei genitrix are among the finest. His music is full of imitation, a sense of choreography, and is coloured by a fondness for particularly low registers.

In addition to the two Masses, this disc includes the large-scale Pater de celis Deus, arguably the grandest of La Rue’s motets and a work full of counterpoint in its three-part, six-voice canon, and three other motets performed as lute intabulations in editions specially prepared for this recording by Christopher Wilson.

‘Gothic Voices have once again opened a window on a forgotten world’ (BBC Music Magazine)

‘A revelation, not only of top-rate neglected music, but also how it should sound. A perfect marriage of musical style and scholarship. Insight and enjoyment hand in hand’ (Classic CD)

‘The beauty and integrity of La Rue’s music warrant a strong recommendation’ (Gramophone)

Helios CDH55296