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Xuáres: Sacred Music / Chenoll, amystis
Brilliant Classics

Xuáres: Sacred Music / Chenoll, amystis

$12.59
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Details

Composer
Alonso Xuares
Artist
Amystis
Format
CD
Label
Brilliant Classics
Released
Oct 27, 2023
Catalog #
BRI96954
UPC
5028421969541

About

World premiere recordings of sacred music by a forgotten master of the Spanish Baroque. As maestro de capilla (Capellmeister/Music director) of the choir and music of the cathedrals in Seville and Cuenca, Alonso Xuárez (1640-1696) made valuable contributions to Spanish polychoral literature which have, as yet, barely been recognised beyond academic circles. This album of new recordings begins to bring his name to a wider audience with a selection of pieces discovered in the archives of Cuenca Cathedral, edited for performance and recorded by an ensemble with extensive experience in the field of the Spanish Baroque.

The resulting portrait of Xuárez reveals a remarkably individual figure, pushing the boundaries of form and harmony for his time but always beautifully conceived for the rich forces at his disposal. Little is known of Xuárez’s early life and formation. His father probably educated him in music, at least until he became a pupil of Tomás Micieces in the late 1650s. By 1664, his talents were sufficiently developed as to be worthy of the post of music director in Cuenca. He appears to have retained some influence over the musical organization there once he moved to Seville in 1675, and then returned to Cuenca in 1684. His surviving work, as represented here, embodies the Spanish polychoral style of the time, blending Italianate counterpoint with spectacular antiphonal writing conceived for multiple ensembles to fill the space of the cathedral.

The Missa surge propera is written for a rich, seven-voice texture, and the motets are even more ambitious, exploiting the colours and effects made available by eight and even nine separate parts. The performances recorded here follow the style of the time in making use of instrumental accompaniment – not just organ but viola da gamba and harp. This is a superb addition to the distinguished Brilliant Classics discography of Amystis, which has already attracted international praise for its adventurous repertoire and polished performances. ‘Chenoll has an endearing way of letting his singers express the music with a natural flow free of effects.’ (Fanfare – Comes, 95231). ‘An original and enlightening album.’ (Fanfare – ‘Masters of the Spanish Renaissance, 96409).

Tracklist 15 tracks

  1. 1 Suscipe domine a 7 03:31
    Track
    1
    Title
    Suscipe domine a 7
    Duration
    03:31
    Composer
    Alonso Xuares
    Ensemble
    Amystis
    Conductor
    Jose Duce Chenoll
  2. 2 Sitivit anima mea a 8 02:01
    Track
    2
    Title
    Sitivit anima mea a 8
    Duration
    02:01
    Composer
    Alonso Xuares
    Ensemble
    Amystis
    Conductor
    Jose Duce Chenoll
  3. 3 Vos qui secutis estis me a 8 01:58
    Track
    3
    Title
    Vos qui secutis estis me a 8
    Duration
    01:58
    Composer
    Alonso Xuares
    Ensemble
    Amystis
    Conductor
    Jose Duce Chenoll
  4. 4 Kyrie 02:54
    Track
    4
    Title
    Kyrie
    Duration
    02:54
    Composer
    Alonso Xuares
    Ensemble
    Amystis
    Conductor
    Jose Duce Chenoll
  5. 5 Gloria 03:40
    Track
    5
    Title
    Gloria
    Duration
    03:40
    Composer
    Alonso Xuares
    Ensemble
    Amystis
    Conductor
    Jose Duce Chenoll
  6. 6 Credo 06:22
    Track
    6
    Title
    Credo
    Duration
    06:22
    Composer
    Alonso Xuares
    Ensemble
    Amystis
    Conductor
    Jose Duce Chenoll
  7. 7 Sanctus 01:31
    Track
    7
    Title
    Sanctus
    Duration
    01:31
    Composer
    Alonso Xuares
    Ensemble
    Amystis
    Conductor
    Jose Duce Chenoll
  8. 8 Agnus Dei 02:17
    Track
    8
    Title
    Agnus Dei
    Duration
    02:17
    Composer
    Alonso Xuares
    Ensemble
    Amystis
    Conductor
    Jose Duce Chenoll
  9. 9 Victimae paschali laudes a 6 02:55
    Track
    9
    Title
    Victimae paschali laudes a 6
    Duration
    02:55
    Composer
    Alonso Xuares
    Ensemble
    Amystis
    Conductor
    Jose Duce Chenoll
  10. 10 Memento mei deus a 8 03:58
    Track
    10
    Title
    Memento mei deus a 8
    Duration
    03:58
    Composer
    Alonso Xuares
    Ensemble
    Amystis
    Conductor
    Jose Duce Chenoll
  11. 11 Assumpsit Jesus discipulos a 8 02:15
    Track
    11
    Title
    Assumpsit Jesus discipulos a 8
    Duration
    02:15
    Composer
    Alonso Xuares
    Ensemble
    Amystis
    Conductor
    Jose Duce Chenoll
  12. 12 Lamentatione heremiae prophetae: Lectio I: Feria VI in Paresceve a 8 08:16
    Track
    12
    Title
    Lamentatione heremiae prophetae: Lectio I: Feria VI in Paresceve a 8
    Duration
    08:16
    Composer
    Alonso Xuares
    Ensemble
    Amystis
    Conductor
    Jose Duce Chenoll
  13. 13 Surgam et circuibo a 9 02:12
    Track
    13
    Title
    Surgam et circuibo a 9
    Duration
    02:12
    Composer
    Alonso Xuares
    Ensemble
    Amystis
    Conductor
    Jose Duce Chenoll
  14. 14 Spiritus meus a 8 04:33
    Track
    14
    Title
    Spiritus meus a 8
    Duration
    04:33
    Composer
    Alonso Xuares
    Ensemble
    Amystis
    Conductor
    Jose Duce Chenoll
  15. 15 Magnificat de octavo tono a 8 05:56
    Track
    15
    Title
    Magnificat de octavo tono a 8
    Duration
    05:56
    Composer
    Alonso Xuares
    Ensemble
    Amystis
    Conductor
    Jose Duce Chenoll