Regnart: Missa Super Oeniades Nymphae & other sacred music

Cinquecento’s first disc for Hyperion (Music for the Court of Maximilian II) was acclaimed as ‘a revelatory disc’ and ‘an outstanding debut recording’. Their supple, mellifluous, expressive singing was particularly praised: ‘Their voices are young, lithe, pure in intonation and warm in timbre—in short, ideal for interpreting Renaissance polyphony’ (International Record Review).

Their eagerly awaited second release presents the music of Jacob Regnart (c1540–1599) and continues their exploration of the rich repertoire which was engendered in the Hapsburg court. The centrepiece of this disc is the splendid Missa Super Oeniades Nymphae, an expansive and elaborate setting for six voices. Also included are two state motets and six sacred pieces, which demonstrate the extraordinary musical and emotional range of Regnart’s work.

CDA67640  60 minutes 19 seconds
CD COMPACT 'RENAISSANCE' AWARD, 2008
‘The polyphony of Jacob Regnart deserves a disc to itself, and this well-constructed programme is an excellent advocate for his varied and inventive music. With a direct, definite and bright-edged ton ...
‘The repertory is glorious, important and little known; the sextet's vocal technique is superb, in solo performance as well as in ensemble, and the disc's production values are superb’ (BBC Music Maga ...
‘Even among the plethora of unjustly neglected 16-century polyphonists currently emerging into the limelight, Regnart stands out as a composer of uncommon talent … the motet Lamentabatur Jacob ...