Composer: Uģis Prauliņš
Performer: Ars Antiqua Riga, Pēteris Vaickovskis, Vairis Nartišs, Jānis Pelše, Kaspars Majors
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: SKANI
Catalogue: LMIC142
Release: 2022
Size: 297 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: cover
Mass and Interludes L’homme armé
01. Introit
02. Kyrie
03. Manzarek M. Monk
04. Virtus nostra
05. Absolution
06. Perc. Org. Shuffle
07. Contemplation
08. Gloria
09. Hosanna in excelsis
10. Feroce & Pax
11. Pax!
12. Dies irae
13. Evensong
14. Lux mundi
15. Marciale
16. Beati pauperes
17. Pater sanctificetur
18. Trouvère
19. Audite me
20. Agnus Dei
21. Gratitude
22. Brynjulf Blix & Lux Aeterna
23. Ite in pace
An old French knight song ‘ L’homme arme’ (armed man) is possibly the most cited melody in Renaissance-era masses. Peteris Vaickovskis, the artistic director of the early music vocal ensemble Ars Antiqua Riga, together with Ugis Praulins wanted to connect, comment and continue the musical theme, while maintaining reflections in the context of the mass genre.
The five-voice ensemble is joined by the organ, the sackbuts (early trombones) and electronic instruments, thus creating atmospheric paintings of sound. Composer Ugis Praulins has said this about his piece: “It is a challenge to include the traditional means of expression and form of sacred music into the contemporary landscape around us. Between good and evil, between life and death – just as in the floor panels of Freemasons – white and black. Peace and war. Love and hate. That is the choice that is given.”
This album speaks simultaneously about the first soldier, the 21st century soldier, as well as the future soldier, but most importantly – at an abstract and philosophical level. It is also a story about the internal, soulful soldier within each of us, who can even sometimes conquer the most armed man.