Search - Fernando de las Infantas, Josquin Desprez, Alonso Lobo :: Music for Philip of Spain / Dixon, Chapelle du Roi

Let's be fair to Philip II: yes, he presided over the Spanish Inquisition and the Armada, but he also presided over an extraordinary flowering of art and music. For this disc, one of several made in 1998 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Philip's death, Bruno Turner has located the music evidently sung at Philip's state funeral. Just an interesting historical curiosity? Not the way Chapelle du Roi sings it--Alistair Dixon has gathered some gorgeous young voices that make quite a case for this music. Jean Richafort's little-known Requiem "Circumdederunt me" for six men's voices is rich, dense, and unexpectedly sweet-- frankly, it brings to mind chocolate mousse or pecan pie. Four pieces by Francisco Guerrero and Alonso Lobo seem lighter (the whipped cream, perhaps), with real treble parts and leaner counterpoint. Chapelle du Roi didn't include the chant items (such as the famous Dies irae melody) that would recreate a complete service: a pity, because, as their third Tallis disc demonstrates, they sing plainchant beautifully. Instead, there are three nonfuneral works at the beginning of the disc; they're not bad, but if you want this record to knock you over, start with the Requiem on track 4. --Matthew Westphal