Messa a 4 voci dia capaila sung by the BBC West of England Singers
Conductor, Reginald Redman
Monteverdi is known to have composed a number of Masses, but only three have been preserved. Two were published by the composer himself in 1610 and 1641 respectively, as part of collections of Liturgical music in which the Masses (for unaccompanied voices) form a curious contrast to the more modern style of the other works. Monteverdi's third Mass (for unaccompanied voices in four parts with an ad libitum organ continuo) was printed posthumously in 1651. This work although written in a style resembling that of Palestrina, has many characteristic touches. Dr. Hans F. Redlich, whose recent edition of the work is being used tonight, believes it to show a thematic economy and coherence unparalleled in the liturgical music of that time.