PROVOCATIVE THOUGHTS:
The late Patric Standford may have written these short pieces deliberately to provoke our feedback. If so, his success is reflected in the rich range of readers' comments appearing at the foot of most of the pages.
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Renaissance Franco-Flemish composer Rolande de Lassus was born at Mons in either 1530 or 1532, and was supposedly kidnapped several times because of his beautiful singing voice.
He was well travelled, visiting Mantua, Milan, Naples, Rome and possibly France and England. Work took him to Munich, where he eventually settled and married. By the 1560s he was well-known and began to attract composition pupils to Munich. These included Andrea Gabrieli and possibly Giovanni Gabrieli.
Lassus died in Munich on 14 June 1594, leaving more than two thousand compositions and a legacy as one of the three most famous composers in Europe - the others being Palestrina and Victoria.
CD Spotlight. A Tradition Still Alive - Gerald Fenech listens to Advent carols from King's College London. 'A hugely beautiful issue, full of inspiring singing and emotional joy, performed with fine control, impressive depth of tone and a dynamic range that commands one's admiration from start to finish.'
CD Spotlight. Inspiring Stuff - Hieronymus Praetorius and colleagues, recommended by Gerald Fenech. 'Sigla de Oro give some absolutely brilliant performances ...'
CD Spotlight. Timeless Significance - The Lassus St Matthew Passion, lauded by Gerald Fenech. 'Bo Holten and Musica Ficta give unerring performances, and their immaculate communication of the text added to the purity of the singing certainly contribute immensely to the enjoyment of this rarely heard work.'
Ensemble. Engaging Accounts - A Celebration of the Twentieth Anniversary of Derby Cathedral Girls' Choir, heard by Mike Wheeler
Ask Alice - Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh on recorder playing, Lassus, J S Bach and the mass cello repertoire
CD Spotlight. Polyphonic Masterpieces - Music from the Baldwin Partbooks, recommended by Gerald Fenech. 'The Marian Consort's delivery is clean, unembellished and wholly uplifting ...'
Ensemble. Expressive Power - Brahms in an early music context, heard by Mike Wheeler
CD Spotlight. Truly Angelic - Passiontide music, recommended by Gerald Fenech. 'An edifying programme in excellent sound and presentation ...'
Ensemble. Expressive Power - Malcolm Miller listens to The Sixteen's 'The Earth Resounds'
Ensemble. Compelling Settings - Lassus, Gesualdo, Purcell, Byrd, J S Bach, Bruckner, Brahms and Tucapský from the Sitwell Singers, reviewed by Mike Wheeler
CD Spotlight. Glorious Eroticism - Vocal music by Lassus, impresses Patric Standford. '... an impressive recording, beautifully sung ...'
CD Spotlight. Mice in the Manger - A selection of Christmas music, enjoyed by George Balcombe. '... an amazing collection.'
Ensemble - Whistle stop tour. Malcolm Miller appreciates The Camden Choir's Renaissance Music