The Spanish master of the golden age of polyphony, Tomas Luis de Victoria, left an astoundingly beautiful legacy of antiphonal sacred music devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Realised for the very first time here by The Exon Singers is a Vespers for the Annunciation, bringing together these works of Marian devotion in a glorious and revelatory celebration.

Songlist: Deus, In Adiutorium, Meum Intende, Missus Est Gabriel, Dixit Dominus, Missus Est Gabriel, Ave Maria, Laudate Pueri Dominum, Ave Maria, Ne Timeas Maria, Laetatus Sum, Ne Timeas Maria, Dabat Ei Dominus, Ecce Virgo Concipiet, Angelus Domini Nuntiavit Mariae, Ave Maris Stella, Ave Maria Gratia Plena, Gabriel Angelus, Magnifica anima Mea, Gabriel Angelus, Dominus Vobiscum, Benedicamus Domino, Regina Coeli, Gaude Et Laetare, Deus, Qui Per, ResurrectionFilii, Kurie Eleison

The great Spanish composer and priest, Victoria, devoted his life to writing supremely uplifting and intense music throughout the church calendar. The Call of the Beloved includes some of the earliest triple-choir music ever to be published and is a reminder of Victoria's joyous and passionate music, complementing his more austere Requiem and music for Holy Week. "If one can ever achieve complete emotional expression through the power of music, then here it is." - Harry Christophers. "This is a beautifully prepared and rewarding recording that deepens our appreciation of one of the greatest masters of the renaissance." - Gramophone

Songlist: Motet: Laetatus sum a 12, Missa: Laetatus sum a 12, Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Benedictus, Agnus Dei, Hymn: Veni creator spiritus a 4, Motet: Vadam et circuibo civitatem a 6, Motet: Vidi speciosam a 6, Hymn: Ad caenam Agni providi a 4, Magnificat Sexti toni a 12

This new recording features the celebrated Requiem of 1605, Victoria's final composition, a work of beguiling beauty and sumptuous simplicity. It can be seen as the summation of both his art and the Spanish Renaissance tradition. The beautiful plainsong on which it is structured can be heard arching through the texture, forming a delicate and sinuous line throughout. Subtly accompanied by a chamber organ and bajon, it is recorded here with the same forces as may well have performed it originally in the Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales. The Requiem is preceded by Marian Antiphons interspersed with three motets setting texts from the Song of Songs.

Songlist: Salve Regina, Ave Regina caelorum, Nigra sum, Quam pulchri sunt, Trahe me post te, Ave Regina caelorum a, Taedet animam meam, Missa pro defunctis a 6 Introit, Kyrie, Gradual, Offertory, Sanctus & Benedictus, Agnus Dei, Communion, Funeral motet: Versa est in luctum, Responsory: Libera me

Tomas Luis de Victoria s requiem mass for six voices, written in 1603 and published in 1605, is a masterpiece. It is one of a handful of large-scale works which enjoys mainstream appeal in the 21st century. For many, it represents what Renaaissance polyphony is, what it sounds and feels like, and how expressive it can be. The disc also features two well-known works by Victoria s contemporary Alonso Lobo. The performance comes from the renowned professional chamber choir Tenebra, led by Nigel Short, following their recent BBC Music Magazine nominated recording of Francis Poulen s Figure Humaine.

Songlist: Lesson: Taedet anima mea, Introit: Requiem aeternam, Kyrie, Gradual: Requiem aeternam, Offertory: Domine, Jesu Christe, Sanctus & Benedictus, Agnus Dei, Communion: Lux aeterna, Motet: Versa est in luctum, Responsory: Libera me, Domine, Lamentations Ieremiae Prophetae