Rogier: Music from the Missae Sex Linn RecordsCKD 387 ****

This is the third recording of the music of Philippe Rogier by Philip Cave's choir Magnificat. Rogier was a Flemish composer, born sometime around 1561, who spent most of his life in Spain, where he worked first as a boy treble, was later ordained a priest, and was appointed maestro di capillaby King Philip II in 1588. He died in his mid-30s in 1596, and the two masses recorded here come from a posthumous collection, Missae Sex,that was published two years later. Missa Inclita stirps Jesse, sung a cappella, is based on material from a motet by Jacobus Clements (also included) and Missa Philippus Secundus Rex Hispaniae, performed with instrumental accompaniment and interludes, on a cyphering of the king's name. Although only 10 singers are involved the performances of the mostly solemn music are deeply sonorous and rich. See url.ie/55bm