Early Music Recordings

From Gregorian chant to 18th century Mexican Baroque, Chanticleer is renowned for its performances of early music.

MISSION ROAD | ANTOINE BRUMEL | CRISTÓBAL DE MORALES | EVENING PRAYER | JOSQUIN DES PREZ/ALEXANDER AGRICOLA | MAGNIFICAT | MATINS FOR THE VIRGIN OF GUADALUPE | MEXICAN BAROQUE | MYSTERIA | PALESTRINA | WILLIAM BYRD

MISSION ROAD (CD & DVD)

Pre-Order Now! Release Date - 08/26/2008 25.95

On MISSION ROAD, the GRAMMY award-winning male vocal group Chanticleer - renowned worldwide as “an orchestra of voices” - performs a selection of authentic, rich vocal repertory from the Mexican Baroque canon and other musical treasures of New Spain. The music explores what native Californians would have heard 200 years ago, both inside and outside the mission walls, and is from a series of acclaimed concerts celebrating Chanticleer's 30th anniversary that were performed at nine historic California missions in 2008. The final concert took place at San Francisco's Mission Dolores, where Chanticleer staged their very first concert in 1978.

A fascinating contemporary realization of early music from “El Camino Real,” the audio CD's highlights include: Friar Juan Bautista Sancho's Misa en sol (Mass in G); premieres of selected works by Mexican Baroque master Manuel de Sumaya - “America's Handel” - only recently discovered in the archives of the Mexico City Cathedral; and various vocal compositions (introit, processional, alleluia, and recessional) by anonymous Spanish/Mexican composers of the late 18th century, including pieces that were originally part of the pageantry for feast days. On a number of selections, Chanticleer is accompanied by instrumentalists, blending folk and traditional idioms.

The DVD presents the 34-minute film Mission Road-Our Journey Back, a behind-the-scenes chronicling of Chanticleer's mission era-inspired journey with concert footage, one-on-one interviews and a stunning collection of mission landscapes. Sonically and visually, MISSION ROAD is an extraordinary way to experience the music of the mission era, with its rich sense of discovery and faith, performed in the context for which it was composed centuries ago.

ANTOINE BRUMEL

OUT OF PRINT

Missa Berzerette savoyenne

French Renaissance composer Antoine Brumel's Missa Berzerette savoyenne takes its title and much of its distinctive material from a French chanson by Josquin des Prez, with a text about a young man courting a shepherdess. Brumel successfully borrowed this popular tune and manipulated it in several ways into his mass, thus bringing into the church some of the frolicking gaiety and vigorous humor of the countryside.

"Glorious, revelatory music, in stunningly gorgeous performances, sensuously recorded."

Berzerette savoyenne Josquin des Prez (c. 1440-1521), Missa Berzerette savoyenne Antoine Brumel (c. 1460-c. 1515), Laudate Dominum Brumel, Sicut lilium inter spinas Brumel, Heth. Cogitavit Dominus Brumel, Lauda Sion Brumel

Chanticleer Records

1991 TOTAL TIME: 73:18 DDD CD (BRUC)....$15.98

CHANTICLEER
Louis Botto, Joseph Jennings, Steven Rickards*, Randall Wong*, Countertenors; Mark Daniel*, Neal Rogers*, Bruce Sellers*, Tenors; Howard Bither*, Tom Hart*, Baritones; Tim Gibler*, Paul Guttry*, Mark Keller*, Basses
(* indicates soloists)

CRISTÓBAL DE MORALES

OUT OF PRINT

Missa Mille regretz and Motets

Cristóbal de Morales is usually mentioned along with Francisco Guerrero and Tom?s Luis de Victoria as the trio of Spanish composers who typified 16th-century Spanish church polyphony. The Missa Mille regretz is based on the famous chanson of the same name by Josquin des Prez, and proved to be a favorite work of Charles V.

"Conveys the deep spiritual feeling behind these liturgical settings... another bull's-eye for this splendid ensemble."

Vidi aquam Cristóbal de Morales (c. 1500-1553), Mile regretz Josquin des Prez (c. 1440-1521), Missa Mille regretz Morales, O sacrum convivium! Morales, Emendemus in melius Morales, Lamentabatur Jacob Morales

Chanticleer Records

1993 TOTAL TIME: 55:29 DDD CD (CRIC) ...$15.98

CHANTICLEER
Kenneth Fitch, Christopher Fritzsche, Joseph Jennings, Corey McKnight, David Shaler, Countertenors; Kevin Baum, Andrew Morgan, David Munderloh, Tenors; Tim Krol, Richard Morrison, Chad Runyon, Baritones; Frank Albinder, Bass-Baritone; Eric Alatorre, Bass; Joseph Jennings, Music Director; Louis Botto, Artistic Director

Evening Prayer: Purcell Anthems and Sacred Songs

Evening Prayer: Purcell Anthems and Sacred Songs was recorded by Chanticleer with dynamic instrumental ensemble Capriccio Stravagante. The son of a Royal musician, Henry Purcell (1659 - 1695). wrote hauntingly beautiful, highly expressive church music that covers a wide emotional spectrum, from the melancholic to the joyous, from the ecstatic to the sublime.

"Their astonishing purity of sound, understated and vibrato-less, is spine tingling?" "Though the Chapel Royal could have hardly heard such refinement, I've no doubt Charles II would have enjoyed every minute of it"

Rejoice in the Lord alway; Remember not, Lord, our offences; I was glad; O Lord, rebuke me not; Praise the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me; Now that the sun has veiled his light (Evening Hymn); Hear My Prayer; My heart is inditing

2004 TOTAL TIME: 59:15 DDD EVEC...$15.98

OUT OF PRINT

JOSQUIN DES PREZ

ALEXANDER AGRICOLA

Clip: Missa Mater Patris: Gloria, Josquin des Prez

"Chanticleer is in shimmering form. The performances are serenely lovely."

Mater Patris et filia Antoine Brumel (c. 1460-c.1515), Missa Mater Patris Josquin des Prez (c.1440-1521), Nobis Sancte Spiritus Alexander Agricola (c. 1446-1505), Regina coeli Agricola, O crux ave Agriola, Domine, non secundum peccata nostra Josquin, Magnificat Agricola

Chanticleer Records

1991 TOTAL TIME: 56:28 DDD CD (JOSC)...$15.98

CHANTICLEER
Kenneth Fitch*, Joseph Jennings, Foster Sommerlad*, Philip Wilder, countertenors; Kevin Baum*, Mark Daniel*, Jonathan Goodman*, Matthew Thompson*, tenors; Chad Runyon*, baritone; Frank Albinder*, bass-baritone; Eric Alatorre*, Tim Gibler basses; Joseph Jennings, Music Director; Louis Botto, Artistic Director
(* indicates soloists)

MAGNIFICAT

(CD VERSION)

A Cappella Works by Josquin, Palestrina, Titov, Victoria and others

Also Available in DVD-A format!
(audio recording usable ONLY on DVD players)

Clip: Ave Maria, Gregorian Chant

Magnificat is Chanticleer's tribute to the many early compositions dedicated to Mary, Mother of God. In the Middle Ages, the Virgin Mary's role as the Mother of God placed her in stark contrast to the stern and wrathful image of God. She was a source of comfort for Christians and remains so to this day. At no time was her popularity greater than during the Renaissance, when a plethora of compositions was written in her honorl including the famous Ave Maria prayer.

Ave Maria Gregorian Chant, Ave Maria, Mater Dei William Cornysh, Magnificat John Taverner, Stabat Virgo Maria (Era l'anima mia) Claudio Monteverdi/Aquilino Coppina, Maria, quid ploras (Dorinda, ah dirò mia), Monteverdi/Coppina, The Angel Cried Out Vasily Titov, Regina cæli lætare Tomás Luis de Victoria, Alma Redemptoris Mater Victoria, Ave maris stella Gregorian Chant, O Thou Joy of All the Sorrowful Titov, Ave Regina cælorum Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, Ave Maria Josquin des Prez, Salve Regina des Prez

Teldec Classics International

1999 TOTAL TIME: 68:43 DDD CD (MAGC)...$15.98
DVD-A (MAGD)...$19.98

In addition to enhanced sound, the DVD-A version contains visual elements, including a music video of John Tavener's Village Wedding featuring Chanticleer.

CHANTICLEER
Matthew Alber, Christopher Fritzsche, Jay White, soprano; Jeffrey Keim, Philip Wilder, alto; Kevin Baum, Michael Lichtenauer, Matthew Oltman, tenor; Eric Alaborre, Thomas Bold, Joel Diffendaffer, Tim Krol, baritone & bass; Joseph Jennings, Music Director; Philip Wilder, Artistic Administrator

MATINS FOR THE VIRGIN OF GUADALUPE, 1764

Ignacio de Jerusalem

Clip: Sanctus, de Jerusalem, Russell Editions

The sequel to Chanticleer's best-selling and critically acclaimed Mexican Baroque recording, with more recently discovered choral masterpieces by Mexico City Cathedral's chapel master, Ignacio de Jerusalem. This recording brings to life one of the most monumental and elaborate choral works of the New World. Chanticleer is joined by Chanticleer Sinfonia, conducted by Joseph Jennings.

"The performances and recording quality are better than any of the other recordings of Mexican Baroque music I've heard. The balance between voices and instruments is consistently superb, and the engineering captures just enough reverberation to suggest a cathedral. The result is a perfect blend of spirituality and a humanistic zest for life."

Matins for the Virgin of Guadalupe Ignacio de Jerusalem (1707-1769), Albricias mortales Manuel de Zumaya (c. 1678-1755), Angélicas milicias Zumaya, Beatam me dicent omnes Giacomo Rust (1741-1786)

Teldec Classics International

1997 TOTAL TIME: 68:47 DDD CD (MATC)...$15.98

CHANTICLEER
Christopher Fritzsche*, Corey McKnight*, Jay White*, soprano; Kenneth Fitch*, Michael Lichtenauer*, Philip Wilder, alto; Kevin Baum*, Tim Krol*, David Munderloh*, tenor; Eric Alatorre*, Frank Albinder*, Chad Runyon*, baritone & bass; with the Chanticleer Sinfonia, Joseph Jennings, Conductor
(* indicates soloists)

MEXICAN BAROQUE

1995 Gramophone Award Nominee

Clip: Hieremiae Prophetae Lamentationes Zumaya

This extraordinary album reflects the musical sophistication of Ignacio de Jerusalem and Manuel de Zumaya, two significant composers in Mexico during the 18th century. This glorious music was widely performed throughout "New Spain," from Guatemala in the south to California missions in the north. Chanticleer is joined by the Chanticleer Sinfonia, conducted by Joseph Jennings.

"A lush and dynamic recording. Mexican Baroque is a delightful find."

Responsorio Segundo de S. S. José Ignacio de Jerusalem (c. 1710-1769), Dixit Dominus Jerusalem, Sol-fa de Pedro Manuel de Zumaya (c. 1678-1755), Polychoral Mass in D Major Jerusalem, Hieremiae Prophetae Lamentationes Zumaya, Celebren, publiquen Zumaya

Teldec Classics International

1994 TOTAL TIME: 57:41 DDD CD (MEXC)...$15.98

CHANTICLEER
Kenneth Fitch*, Christopher Fritzsche, Joseph Jennings, Corey McKnight, David Shaler*, Philip Wilder, countertenor; Kevin Baum*, David Munderloh, Douglas Wright, tenor; Tim Krol, Chad Runyon*, baritone; Frank Albinder*, bass-baritone; Eric Alatorre* bass; with the Chanticleer Sinfonia, Joseph Jennings, Conductor; Joseph Jennings, Music Director; Louis Botto, Artistic Director; Frank Albinder, Assistant Conductor
(* indicates soloists)

http://chanticleer.org/mp3/Matins/10_Responsorio_SignumMagnumApparuitinCaelo.mp3

MYSTERIA

Gregorian Chants

Clip: Kyrie XVII, Gregorian Chant

Hauntingly beautiful, mysterious and possessed by a wealth of melodic expression, Chanticleer's Mysteria represents three distinct musical stages of Gregorian chant over several hundred years. Recorded while on tour in a small village church in Welver, Germany, Chanticleer's seamless singing has been compared to that of "masterful angels."

"Beautifully sung and varied. If you want sheer melodic purity and beauty, choose this disc."

Ash Wednesday and Lent Antiphon: Immutemur, Kyrie XVII, Gradual: Laetatus sum; Palm Sunday Antiphon: Hosanna, Psalm 23; Maundy Thursday Antiphon: Dominus Iesus: Good Friday Responsory: Tenebrae factae sunt, Hymn with refrain: Pange lingua, Crux fidelis, Reproaches and Trisagion; Holy Saturday Responsory: Christus factus est, Hymn: Vexilla Regis; Easter Gloria in excelsis II, Alleluia V. Pascha nostrum, Sequence: Victimae paschali laudes, Offertory: Iubilate Deo, Agnus Dei XVII; In Honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary Antiphon: Alma redemptoris, Antiphon: Ave Regina caelorum, Antiphon: Regina caeli, Antiphon: Salve Regina

Teldec Classics International

1994 TOTAL TIME: 61:05 DDD CD (MYSC)...$15.98

CHANTICLEER
Kenneth Fitch, Christopher Fritzsche, Joseph Jennings, Corey McKnight, David Shaler, countertenors; Kevin Baum, David Munderloh, Douglas Wright, tenors; Tim Krol, Chad Runyon, baritones; Frank Albinder, bass-baritone; Eric Alatorre bass; Joseph Jennings, Music Director; Louis Botto, Artistic Director; Frank Albinder, Assistant Conductor

PALESTRINA

Missa pro defunctis and Motets

Clip: Gaude gloriosa, Palestrina

A fascinating juxtaposition of two substantial works by fabled 16th-century Italian composer Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina: his Requiem Mass, Missa pro defunctis, and his very sensual Song of Songs, Canticum canticorum.

"The ensemble renders the intricacies of Palestrina's writing with both clarity and textural richness."

Gaude gloriosa, Missa pro defunctis, Salve regina, Pange lingua, O bone Jesu, from Canticum canticorum: Trahe me, Nigra sum, sed formosa, Surge, propera, Surge, amica mea, Quam pulchra es, Veni, dilecte mi, Gaude, Barbara

Teldec Classics International

1994 TOTAL TIME: 65:36 DDD CD (PALC)...$15.98

CHANTICLEER
Kenneth Fitch, Christopher Fritzsche*, Joseph Jennings, Corey McKnight*, David Shaler, countertenors; Kevin Baum*, David Munderloh*, Douglas Wright*, tenors; Tim Krol*, Chad Runyon*, baritones; Frank Albinder*, bass-baritone; Eric Alatorre bass; Joseph Jennings, Music Director; Louis Botto, Artistic Director; Frank Albinder, Assistant Conductor
(* indicates soloists)

WILLIAM BYRD

Missa in tempore paschali

Clip: in tempore paschali/in paschal time, Byrd

Byrd, the chief musician of Elizabethan England, wrote and published liturgical music for clandestine religious observance. Among his most serene and pure works, these intimate five-voice masses are drawn from his second book of Gradualia published in 1607.

"Superbly true, ethereal performances."

In Tempore Paschali, Regina caeli, In Assumptione Beatae Mariae Virginis, Ave Regina cælorum , Salve Regina

Chanticleer Records

1998 TOTAL TIME: 51:58 DDD CD (WILC)...$15.98

CHANTICLEER
Louis Botto, Johnson Flucker, Joseph Jennings, Steven Rickards, countertenors; Mark Daniel, Neal Rogers, Bruce Sellers, tenors; Michael Noland, Mitchell Sandler, baritones; Kevin Freemen, Paul Guttry, Mark Keller, basses; Joseph Jennings, Music Director; Louis Botto, Artistic Director