With this recording, Vojtěch Semerád and the Cappella Mariana continue their exploration of the Central European musical culture of the 15th and early 16th centuries. Initially focussing exclusively on the unknown Flemish composer Johannes Tourout (PAS1124), this second album also features works by his contemporaries Gaspar van Weerbeke and Heinrich Isaac.

The structure of the programme takes several aspects of this period into account: Flemish artists played a central role as composers and performers, and the reception of previously unidentified regional composers has so far been very patchy. The grey area of the anonymous repertoire conceals true gems of polyphony. Another important phenomenon are compositions in which the original texts are replaced by new ones in order to adapt them for the liturgical context, as is the case with French chansons – the real hits in late medieval and early modern Europe. This recording has also brought to light exciting musical discoveries of the rich Franco-Flemish polyphony in Central Europe.

Booklet: EN, FR, NL

Lyrics: FR, EN

The work of Philippus de Monte, a renowned composer of the 16th century and master of the imperial chapel of the Habsburgs, includes over 800 Italian madrigals, French songs, approximately 40 masses, and 250 motets. This present recording is dedicated to the spiritual madrigal, a unique blend of secular and sacred music that Monte helped popularize.

The interpretation by the superb singers of Cappella Mariana allows us to appreciate the musical arsenal deployed by Monte in the spiritual madrigals and the absolute beauty of these works from the late 16th century.

Booklet: EN, FR, NL

Lyrics: IT, EN

Tonrroutt, Thauranth, Tauront, Taurath, Torenth… few composers have had their names mangled by scribes so badly as the protagonist of this recording. The identity of the composer behind these variants has long remained shrouded in mystery. It is known that a certain Johannes Tourout was cantor in the chapel of Emperor Frederick III of Habsburg. The composer must have been very popular in Central Europe: a large number of his works can be found in important manuscripts from that region. Given the stupendous craftsmanship evident in his compositions, it is surprising that modern musicians have not paid greater attention to them.

Cappella Mariana and its artistic director Vojtěch Semerád now seek to fill the gap with this portrait album. This selection aims to display the wide stylistic range of 15th-century polyphony, with a mass, Latin motets, and secular chansons set to texts in the vernacular. 

Booklet: EN, FR, NL

Lyrics: FR/LAT, EN