Upcoming CD release: Roman Warriors: L'homme armé Masses by Marbrianus de Orto and Josquin des Prez
Cut Circle's forthcoming recording explores the lively 15th-century tradition of “armed-man” masses. The CD introduces Marbrianus de Orto (d. 1529), a remarkable composer whose music has hardly been heard since the 16th century. It also features a new interpretation of Josquin's most famous mass (the Missa L'homme armé super voces musicales) that highlights contrasts in rhythmic energy, tempo, and dynamic level. The masses make a particularly good pairing because the two composers were colleagues in the Sistine Chapel choir in Rome for a number of years toward the end of the 15th century, and because Josquin’s mass seems to borrow elements from de Orto’s.
