Graindelavoix; Bjorn Schmelzer; Manuel Mota - Antoine Brumel: Earthquake Mass

Following on from their successful last recording, Josquin the Undead (GCDP32117) this new recording of Antione Brumel's Earthquake Mass is a welcome addition.

Graindelavoix is an Antwerp-based music and art ensemble founded in 1999. Helmed by founder-director Bjorn Schmelzer, it is committed to offering a contemporary and critical interpretation of mainly historical, vocal repertoires.

It would be difficult to find a composition that resembles the twelve-part mass Et ecce terrae motus by Antoine Brumel (ca.1460-ca.1513). The almost continuous scoring with twelve voices and its musical effect give the work a unique position in Renaissance music. Brumel made a name for himself in the European music world of the 16th century with this unique experiment.

Bjorn Schmelzer and Graindelavoix present here a recording whose artistic uncompromisingness really does have the effect of an earthquake.

an immersive experience of near-Stockhausenesque scope, largely successful on its own terms, with superlative playing and deft transitions between the Mass and the new materials. � Gramophone