Plaingsong and motets with authentic Advent themes. Great O Antiphons and penitential works

The great Missa In illo tempore, principal work in Monteverdi's collection of 1610 which also included the 'Vespers'. Sung with propers from the Graduale Romanum 1610.

Lagrime di San Pietro (1594. The composer's last work and one of his greatest, a sacred madrigal cycle some 45 minutes long, for seven (solo) (male) voices. Our recordng is due to appear early 2002.

Missa Papae Marcelli, one of the best-known and most misrepresented works of the Renaissance, a high-clef piece requiring transposition down a fourth making it a wonderful sonorous experience. Programmed with 'Tu es Petrus' and other motets.

Music of the Imperial Chapel founded by Maximilian in 1498. Works by Cour Composer Heinrich Isaac, his pupil and successor Ludwig Senfl and Josquin des Pres. Programmes with or without cornetts and sackbuts. Sample repertoire on the Isaac CD 'Motets for Kaiser Maximilian I.'

The Sacrae Cantiones of Balduin Hoyoul, Composer at the Württemberg Court between Daser and Lechner. Our CD was the reference recording of this fine unknown music. A second programme presents the great Wedding Mass 1511 of Heinrich Finck.

Sacrae Symphoniae 1597 from 6-part a cappella motets to works in 3 and 4 choirs with instruments.

We are always glad to have the opportunity to sing the finest music of the Renaissance in its original liturgical setting. Marian Masses of Isaac and Josquin, motets from Isaacs Choralis Constantinus, as well as plainsong, have all found place in our repertoire.

Music of the Imperial Chapel founded by Maximilian in 1498. Works by Cour Composer Heinrich Isaac, his pupil and successor Ludwig Senfl and Josquin des Pres. Programmes with or without cornetts and sackbuts. Sample repertoire on the Isaac CD 'Motets for Kaiser Maximilian I.'

Special programmes for different cities and courts. For example, we prepared a programme of music from Nuremberg for the 950th anniversary celebrations there.

The masses of Isaac, which were almost all composed for the Imperial Court Chapel (Hofkapelle) of Maximilian I, are a unique facet of early Renaissance music. In the case of the Missa de Beata Maria Virgine, which we are recording, the work has particular interest. First of all, it is one of the most beautiful pieces in our repertoire. But secondly, it is a rare example of a piece rewritten by its composer. The mass existed originally as a 4-voice setting, which survives in mss in Wroclaw, Jena and Dresden. The rewriting of the piece - surely at the wish of the Emperor, who is known to have had a fondness for 6-part writing - created from the earlier simple piece one of the masterpieces of Isaac which have remained virtually undiscovered.! We sing both versions. The 6-part mass should be performed with organ improvisations on the chant sections and the programme is available with the organist David Blunden, with whom we are recording this version in July 2005.