Manuel Cardoso's Requiem available again

One of the best of all polyphonic works in an extremely good performance. This is completely sold out - it might be your last chance to get it.

See this.

 

I have heard it some year ago. Didn't strike me as masterpiece then... Is there something to it that missed me?
Could someone start a new renaissance polyphony masterpieces thread? Anyone familiar with Fayrfax and Obrecht, or de la Rue?

Check this Fayrfax link if interested:

http://www.musicweb.uk.net/classrev/2001/Dec01/RobertFayrfax.htm

 

Me, sir. Being a fan of Tudor choral, I picked up some of those Fayrfax ASV CDs in a sale a while back and enjoyed them. Up there with Tallis, Gibbons and Byrd.

Haven't heard of the other two. Tell us more.

 

Obrecht is called "a compositional genius unique amongst all others" in this excellent review:

http://www.cyberspatialniche.org/studies/obrecht.htm

I am now listening to his blockbuster 70-minute mass "Missa Maria zart" performed by the Tallis Scholars and I agree. Incredible. Perhaps my top 1 desert island record.

de la Rue: I have this on cassette somewhere:
http://www.abeillemusique.com/produit.php?cle=3178

It has an unusual sound-world, must find that cassette...

 

Hi Bat.

Cardoso's use of polyphony is based on Palestrina's principles of composition. But his harmony is quite different and much more poignant. It is a kind of tonal modality - the modes exist all right and are clearly defined, but they function in a quasi tonal way which lends them more structural and expressive possibilities.

And, on top of that, he was unequaled in his use of complex polyphony. I went through the score the other day and it is plain fascinating.

On top of that, the music in unbelievably beautiful - introspective, lyrical and mystical. It is the culmination of that particular way of composing. I think one just has to have it. And then the Tallis Scholars are perfect interpreters of that feeling.

There are other interpretations of Cardoso's music - including a record by Herreweghe - but this one tops them all.

 

Tallis Scholars' version available for £9.50 from www.mdt.co.uk until 23rd April

 

How do you manage to get such sites and prices?

So, people, grab it. You WON'T be disappointed.

 

Where can I find the Cardoso score?

 

It is published by Gulkenkian, so it should be available in good music stores. His oeuvre is rather large, though. If you can't find it, pm me. Perhaps we can find a solution (I don't guarantee it, though).

But, anyway, I would get the record first and fast! It's cheaper and polyphony is rather difficult to read anyway - I always do so at the keyboard, and even that is by no means easy, because of the way it is printed: each voice is separately printed.

 

After listening to samples available at www.jpc.de, I am not sure about this - it is beautiful but is reminds me of the Inquisition too (???)

 

Not at all. Cardoso had no connection whatever with the Inquisition. On the contrary, he was a mystical - he spent most of his life in a convent, leading an extremely austere and other wordly life.

More to the point, all his education was against the Inquisition - he studied in the Évora (pronounced E'vora) 'claustra' and the Évora University. He took orders in a group that had nothing to do with the Inquisition.

So you may put your mind to rest. If you find it beautiful get it. Feel the bliss of pure mysticism and don't fear for your conscience.

I hate the Inquisition myself. I love Cardoso's music.


(P.S.: I see from your signature that you ran out of ammunition. So you turned into a vampire. Your aggressive potencial is not so strong but it does last longer! But yes, that's the best smiley we've got!

:JOEL:

 

Ordered the Cardoso... I except it to be not unlike Duarte Lobo's music who was Cardoso's contemporary.

 

It is not unlike - it is the same compositional style. But there are differences. Whereas Lobo's music is more magestic, usually serenely uplifting, Cardoso's is more expressive. But if you like the one you will certainly like the other.

I'm happy you ordered it. Now I really hope you'll like it!

I just can't resist:

:JOEL:, too.

 

i like Lobo a lot... Listen to Lobo to avoid lobotomy (another Portuguese invention) !