Composer: Heitor Villa-Lobos
Performer: Corydon Singers
Conductor: Matthew Best
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Hyperion
Catalogue: CDH55470
Release: 1993
Size: 256 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
Missa São Sebastião
01. Movement 1 ‘Sebastian! The Virtuous’. Kyrie
02. Movement 2 ‘Sebastian! The Roman Soldier’. Gloria
03. Movement 3 ‘Sebastian! Defender of the Church’. Credo
04. Movement 4 ‘Sebastian! The Martyr’. Sanctus
05. Movement 5 ‘Sebastian! The Saint’. Benedictus
06. Movement 6 ‘Sebastian! Protector of Brazil’. Agnus Dei
Bendita Sabedoria
07. I. Sapientia foris praedicat
08. II. Vas pretiosum labia scientiae
09. III. Principium sapientiae
10. IV. Vir sapiens
11. V. Beatus homo
12. VI. Dexteram tuam
13. Praesepe
14. Cor dulce, cor amabile
15. Panis angelicus
16. Sub tuum praesidium
17. Ave Maria a 5
18. Ave Maria a 6
19. Pater noster
20. Magnificat-Alleluia
Sacred choral music by Brazil’s most famous composer, Heitor Villa-Lobos, performed by one of Hyperion’s best-loved recording groups.
These works were written as part of Villa-Lobos’s grand plan to revitalize music education in his native country. The human voice, an instrument acquired free of charge by every person in the nation, was seen by Villa-Lobos as the principal performing medium, particularly in massed choral form. Canto orfeônico (choral singing) became the order of the day. Among the performances Villa-Lobos directed was the Brazilian premiere of Palestrina’s Missa Papae Marcelli.
This led to him to write his own a cappella Mass, Missa São Sebastião, St Sebastian being the patron saint of Rio de Janeiro, the major work on this album.
In fact The Missa São Sebastião had not been a sudden isolated instance of sacred composition from Villa-Lobos. From his earliest years as a serious composer he had written many motets. The Corydon Singers perform a rich selection of these.