With this CD, the Vox Cantoris ensemble is releasing a second album dedicated to a Mass by Pierre Certon (the first is DBX9973). And that is welcome, since nine masses of this interesting composer are known, of which only three have been recorded in total (including the two of this ensemble). On this CD we hear the Requiem Mass that Certon composed in 1558, supplemented with some works for the Office
… of the Dead (prayer services that are celebrated around the day of someone's funeral). The CD opens with a work that Certon wrote in memory of Claudin de Sermisy. With their interpretation, Vox Cantoris seems to find a middle way between a traditional and experimental approach. For example, we occasionally hear striking decorations (which cannot be found in the original notation), but certainly not as extreme as the free-spirited ensemble Graindelavoix, for example. The pace is sometimes very slow; especially some parts of the Requiem don't really move forward. Nevertheless, we should especially be happy with this CD: this repertoire certainly deserves to be heard more. (TC)more
