This recording of a cappella sacred works by José de Nebra is a very pleasant surprise. de Nebra is probably best remembered today as a composer of stage works, notably zarzuelas. However, the highly informative liner notes by Juan Carlos Asensio tell us is that in his day de Nebra was best known for his sacred music. Most of his sacred works were composed for the Royal Chapel in Madrid, where he was appointed vice-maestro in 1751, and a lesser number written for the Monastery of the Encarnación in Madrid and the Cathedral of Cuenca.

This recording is a recreation by Asensio of a vespers service for the Common of Confessors. Typical of this kind of reconstruction is the amount of chant. Asensio has taken great care in his selection of chant and it is well performed by Schola Antiqua. There is also a fair amount of organ music throughout, mostly brief works replacing some versicles and thematically related to the psalm tones.

Of course it’s the quality of the psalm settings and Magnificat that are the true measure of the service and Asensio has chosen wisely here too. The Beatus vir features chant in alternatim with the polyphonic verses, which are sung to powerful effect by the four voices of La Grande Chapelle.

The Magnificat is marvelous, an austere setting with some glorious moments of high-flying vocal writing. This is beautiful, serious music that, despite its dark colors, has moments of remarkable serenity. CRAIG ZEICHNER