At the time of their composition, the English masses in the manuscript were daunting works and the centuries have done little to dilute their power.
To my knowledge, there haven't been many recordings of masses by either Frye or Plummer, so this is a particularly welcome release. Walter Frye's (d. 1474) four-part Missa Flos Regalis keeps the listener and the performers on their toes. The mass is colored by its thick sonorities and an indifference for highlighting key textual passages - quite unconventional for its time. Frye also spins some interesting harmonic twists, especially in the Sanctus. John Plummer's (d. c. 1487) Missa Sine nomine is equally forward-looking, a three-part work that features some challenging counterpoint. Songs by John Bedyngham (1422-60) and Frye round out the program, but the songs are not nearly as compelling as the sacred works.
The Clerks' Group score big points with this recording. I am always impressed with the way they balance precision and polished vocal blend in the most difficult music. I'm sure Edward Wickham would say otherwise, but unlike other groups singing this music, the Clerks' Group don't seem to break a sweat. CRAIG ZEICHNER
BRUSSELS 5557
JOHN PLUMMER, WALTER FRYE, JOHN BEDYNGHAM, ANTOINE BUSNOIS, JOHANNES OCKEGHEM, GUILLAUME DUFAY, JOHANNES REGIS
Edward Wickham
The Clerks' Group
Signum SIGCD 015
2000 - 68:42 min.
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