Victoria: Missa De Beata Maria Virgine & Missa Surge propera

Immerse yourself in the sacred and serene world of Renaissance polyphony with Tomás Luis de Victoria's "Missa De Beata Maria Virgine & Missa Surge propera." This exquisite album, released in 2011 under the Hyperion label, features the renowned Westminster Cathedral Choir, conducted by Martin Baker, delivering a captivating performance of two masses and a motet by the Spanish composer.

Victoria, a contemporary of Palestrina, is celebrated for his profound and expressive sacred music. This album showcases two of his lesser-recorded masses, both exemplary of the Renaissance mass form and its intricate procedures. The "Missa De Beata Maria Virgine" and "Missa Surge propera" are complemented by the motet "Salve Regina" and "Surge, propera amica mea, et veni," providing a comprehensive exploration of Victoria's choral mastery.

The album spans a duration of approximately 68 minutes, offering a rich and immersive experience of Gregorian chant influences and choral textures that are characteristic of the Renaissance period. Each track is a testament to Victoria's skill in weaving complex polyphony with devotional intensity, resulting in a spiritual and musical journey that resonates deeply.

Whether you are a seasoned enthusiast of choral music or a newcomer to the genre, this album promises a rewarding experience. The meticulous performance by the Westminster Cathedral Choir, coupled with the timeless compositions of Tomás Luis de Victoria, makes this a standout release in the realm of medieval and Renaissance choral music.

Tomás Luis de Victoria, born around 1548 in Sanchidrián, Spain, is celebrated as the most renowned Spanish composer of the Renaissance era. His musical journey began as a choirboy in Ávila Cathedral, where he also honed his skills on the keyboard. Victoria's career flourished in both Spain and Italy, and he is revered for his intense and deeply emotional motets, as well as his profound compositions for the Offices of the Dead and Holy Week. Unlike many of his contemporaries, Victoria's extensive body of work is almost exclusively devoted to sacred and polyphonic vocal music, set to Latin texts. His contributions to the Roman Catholic Counter-Reformation are monumental, placing him alongside giants like Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina and Orlande de Lassus. Victoria's legacy endures, inspiring generations with his timeless choral masterpieces.