Not many recordings of Josquin's Missa Gaudeamus can be found (DBX4639, DBX1792), perhaps because it is a relatively long and therefore somewhat inaccessible mass. However, it is a special work that is well worth the effort and therefore a new recording is always welcome. And this new recording of the ensemble De Labyrintho is a pretty good performance. Here and there the tempi are somewhat brisk,
… but that the Agnus Dei is a masterpiece that cannot be broken, is evident from the thoughtful performance of De Labyrintho. The mass is supplemented with a nice selection of motets. However, the performance is sometimes a bit on the cautious side and not all individual voices are equally beautiful, especially the beautiful 'Ut phoebi radiis' suffers somewhat from this. So it remains to wait for an ideal Gaudeamus performance ... in the meantime this is a beautiful performance that hopefully can make new people enthusiastic about Josquin's music. (TC)more
