Late-Renaissance choral music in a masterful recording by the Gabrieli Consort led by Paul McCreesh, the plaintive singing bathed in the natural reverb of Brinkburn Priory, Northumberland. Victoria (1548-1611) was the most significant composer associated with the Counter-Reformation in Spain, and was a contemporary of Palestrina. Working for a while under the patronage of Empress Maria of Austria, Victoria composed this funeral mass on the Empress' death in 1603. Beautifully sombre music, plus grinning skeleton cover, equals the perfect package.
pw: sgtg
