Capella Antiqua München, Pierre de la Rue - Requiem and Elegies (circa 1500-1550)

Harmonia Mundi - LP
France, 1982
Baroque / Classical / Folk

The funary nature of requiems and elegies might qualify them for being the most natural entry door into the world of ancient European religious music, for us, listeners of the 21st century.

The profound solemnity of the music composed by Pierre de la Rue and other 15th-16th century composers have a universal appeal for whoever is familiar with death. Nothing new under the sun. Death is still an ordeal for the living, and the dolorous quality of elegiac music soothes the pain of mourning.

Side A is Pierre de la Rue's Requiem, as sung by the Capella Antiqua München in the 1960's. The Side B is a collection of elegies from composers who lived in both 15th and 16th centuries and that struck me, as often elegiac music does, as the most evidently essential anthropological component in the human process of mourning. Needless to say, timeless and - maybe -  universal music. Comes with rich, educational liner notes. (VG+/VG+)

Tracklist

1. Pierre de la Rue - "Missa pro defunctis" - Requiem
2. Antoine Brumel - O Domine Jesu Christe
3. Hieronymus Vinders - O  Mors Inevitabilis
4. Benedictus Apenzeller - Musae Jovis Ter Maximi
5. Jacobus Vaet - Continuo Lacrimas
6. Ludwig Sennfl - Quis Dabit Oculis Nostris
7. Ludwig Sennfl - Non Moriar Sed Vivam