Annibal Gantez’s epic

6-voice Missa Vigilate (1643) - Letters
 
Vox Cantoris ensemble,
Jean-Christophe Candau
 
Marie Christine Barrault, reciting
 
Rated 5 by Diapason, March 2009
“CD of the month” Radio Notre-Dame, February 2009
 
This exceptional programme unites the Vigilate Mass for six Voices by Annibal Gantez (1643), interpreted by the Vox Cantoris ensemble, with the most beautiful letters written by Gantez, Chapel Master of the 17th Century, recited by Marie-Christine Barrault.
 
The “Entretien des Musiciens” (Musicians’ Interview), a collection of letters by Annibal Gantez, is the work for which he is well-known. His letters are in turn full of wisdom, humour and earthliness, and Gantez provides a snapshot of the musical situation in 17th century France, and of musicians at the time of Louis XIII and Louis XIV.
 
But it is a true masterpiece of Baroque sung art which the Vox Cantoris ensemble discovered through this Vigilate, never before recorded. The six voices of the ensemble use the whole range of the human voice in rich and subtle harmonies, full of contrasts.
 
This alliance of music and writing is a feast for the ears which not only moves the heart but is also a treat for the mind.
 
1 - Avertissement aux chantres 1'37
2 - Kyrie, Messe Vigilate 8'14
3 - Lettre LIII "Il vaut mieux peu et bon" 5'39
4 - Gloria, Messe Vigilate 6'16
5 - Lettre XXXV "Vicarier" 5'23
6 - Credo, Messe Vigilate 11'57
7 - Lettre XXXIII "musique et philosophie" 3'41
8 - Sanctus, Messe Vigilate 4'02
9 - Lettre XXXVII "La douceur" 5'20
10 - Agnus Dei, Messe Vigilate 3'43
11 - Lettre XXXI "Un général d'armée" 7'23
12 - Domine salvum fac Regem 1'49
13 - Ode a Gantez 3'03
 
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