Eustache du Caurroy is one of the unacknowledged masters of French Renaissaice polyphony whose works are rarely performed, due in part to the general lack of accessible or reliable editions. The majority of his compositions were for liturgical use - probably at the French Royal Court during the reigns of the successive monarchs Charles IX, Henri III and Henri IV. The motets recorded here illustrate two contrasting styles of vocal writing: imitative polyphony and 'musique mesurée', the former equating to the familiar, pan-European idiom of Palestrina and his later Renaissance contemporaries, the latter outlining protracted chord-against chord movement reflecting the natural stress-patterns of the words. The Missa pro Defunctis, the major work on this disc, was first performed at the funeral of Henri IV and remained for many years the official requiem sung at funerals of French monarchs.

Eustache du Caurroy
1     Veni sancte spiritus

       Missa pro Defunctis
2     Requiem
3     Kyrie
4     Si ambulem
5     Domine Jesu
6     Sanctus
7     Agnus Dei
8     Lux aeterna

9     Benedicamus Domino

10   Ave Maria

11   Ave virgo gloriosa

12   Salve Regina

       Christe qui lux es
13   Christe qui lux es
14   Ne gravis
15   Memento nostri

16   Victimae Paschali

Total Playing time: 66'47''   DDD
Recorded in the Abbaye de Valloires, Somme, France 18-20 September 1996
Released 1998
CRD 3518
Also available on CRD 5008 (5CD box set)
Originally released on Collins Classics 14972

"This is music of very high quality, and on that alone Edward Higginbottom’s initiative in du Caurroy’s favour is most welcome. Just as importantly, he leads the New College choristers in a correspondingly fine performance...a distinctive recording indeed."

The Gramophone (Editor's Choice)