The Newberry Consort & Ellen Hargis – Vespers (2021) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz]

The Newberry Consort & Ellen Hargis – Vespers (2021)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 01:07:56 minutes | 1,20 GB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Navona

Chicago’s best-known early music ensemble The Newberry Consort exhilarates with VESPERS, a collection of dazzlingly original music for women’s voices. The composer? A mysterious early-17th-century Mexican named Juan de Lienas, whose style energetically oscillates between Renaissance and Baroque elements.

Little is known about de Lienas beyond the manuscripts, which, much to the undeserved discredit of the poor composer, occasionally include unflattering personal remarks scrawled in the margins. Perhaps that these insults on his appearance and personality stemmed from mere envy, for the music captured by his hand presents such skill, wit and zest that it can still be enjoyed a full four centuries after its inception.

Not an easy feat by any means, and certainly facilitated by a spectacular performance of The Newberry Consort under the direction of director and soprano Ellen Hargis. Since the music on VESPERS was originally composed for use in women’s convents, the bass voice is either sung up the octave, or replaced by bassoon or viola da gamba. The result is graceful, airy, ethereal, otherworldly. Easy on the ears not only for lovers of early music, and for these: a veritable treat.

Tracklist:
01. The Newberry Consort & Ellen Hargis – Deus, in adiutorium meum intende (01:28)
02. The Newberry Consort & Ellen Hargis – Martyr Dei (02:19)
03. The Newberry Consort & Ellen Hargis – Dixit Dominus á 8 (05:40)
04. The Newberry Consort & Ellen Hargis – Beatus vir á  11 (06:31)
05. The Newberry Consort & Ellen Hargis – Laudate pueri á 8 (06:56)
06. The Newberry Consort & Ellen Hargis – Credidi propter á 8 (07:02)
07. The Newberry Consort & Ellen Hargis – Laudate Dominum omnes gentes á 8 (03:51)
08. The Newberry Consort & Ellen Hargis – Facultad organica: No. 36, Tiento de medio registro de tiple de décimo tono (04:46)
09. The Newberry Consort & Ellen Hargis – Ave maris stella (03:50)
10. The Newberry Consort & Ellen Hargis – Magnificat á 10 (12:03)
11. The Newberry Consort & Ellen Hargis – Te lucis ante terminum (04:42)
12. The Newberry Consort & Ellen Hargis – Salve regina á 8 (08:41)

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