The music of the Renaissance appears to reflect little of the dangers, horrors and violent conflicts of its time. Music written during the Hundred Years War or the French invasion of Italy gives hardly any impression to today’s ears of the precariousness of existence of which its composers, singers and listeners must have continually been aware. Nor do the two masses by Jacob Obrecht (1457/8 – 1505) on this recording betray anything of the restless spirit of the age, despite them both being based on models referring to suffering and misery. Founded by Markus Muntean and Bernhard Trebuch- out of passion for vocal polyphony and a kind of despair about the break in the interpretation of this music which took place in the 1980s- beauty farm gathers young singers, leaving traditions behind, willing to experiment and exploring new musical territory.

Cappella Pratensis has been building an impressive discography at Challenge Classics. Their previous releases include the three first volumes of Den Bosch Choirbook (CC 72877, 72878, 72879) and the Hieronymus Bosch-inspired album Visions of Joy, anchored in the luminous music of Pierre de la Rue (CC 72710). All these records have received a wide critical acclaim and specialized media awards. So, it is not by surprise that now they confront one of the highest peaks of Renaissance polyphony: Jacob Obrecht’s Missa Maria zart. And once more Cappella Pratensis, under the guide of Stratton Bull, achieve highest standards, setting a new reference account for this polyphonic masterpiece.