Modus Ensemble - Claudio Merulo: Messe (2019)

In the 16th century the Venetian school represented one of the most ingenious and influential groups of progressive composers of sacred music, including Claudio Merulo. However the sacred music of Merulo has been neglected.
Claudio Merulo, born in Correggio in 1533 and died in Parma in 1604, served from 1557 to 1584 as organist of the Serenissima Signoria of Venetia in San Marco and from 1586 to his death, as organist of the Serenissimo Signor Duke of Parma and Piacenza. His fame, both composer and virtuoso of the organ, has been attested by the writings of numerous theorists, composers, critics and writers. Today, Merulo is better known as a composer for the organ - especially for his touches that have contributed to the development of the idiomatic keyboard style. However he was equally productive for the composition of sacred, profane and instrumental works. The request of the time, for his sacred vocal music, is confirmed by two books of masses and seven books of motetti produced by the Gardano press between 1573 and 1609, as well as by numerous motetti included in the anthologies printed between 1586 and 1618 Only seven of these compositions have never been reprinted in modern editions. The masses were dedicated to the young king of France, Charles IX (1550 - 1574), the third son of Henry II and Catherine de 'Medici. The king, a passionate music lover, sponsored poets and musicians and helped the poet Jean-Antoine de Baif to found the Académie de Poésie et de Musique. The premature death of King Charles, after only a year, made Parisian musicians of a generous patron and Merulo, perhaps, of great hope, "orphans".