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Title: Magical
Review: When, last year, I found the Tallis Scholars reduced to just twelve for their recording of Russian Orthodox Music, I thought that they had reached their limit. However, I was mistaken: on this disc there are just EIGHT of them! (So few in fact that a photo is provided- so we can put faces to the familiar names...) This tiny group nonetheless makes a strong case for two of Josquin's Masses. Though their sound throughout is wonderfully conducive to relaxation and meditation, I have to say that the "Missa La Sol Fa Re Mi" emerges a notch above the other: it amply shows Josquin's skill at drawing the most magical sounds out of simple, basic four-part polyphony (impressive and breathtaking particularly when you consider that Josquin's near-contemporaries frequently used five-part choirs to produce a full-bodied texture and timbre in their choral works). A beautiful disc- well done!
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