Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina - Music for Inner Peace (The Sixteen; Harry Christophers)

Information

Composer: Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina

1. Missa Assumpta est Maria: I. Kyrie
2. Ave Maria
3. Beata Barbara
4. Song of Songs: IV: Vineam meam non custodivi
5. Tribulationes civitatum audivimus
6. Song of Songs: VI. Pulchrae sunt genae tuae
7. Hic est beatissimus Evangelista
8. Stabat Mater a8
9. Missa Fratres ego enim accepi: III. Credo
10. Song of Songs: XV. Surge, propera, amica mea
11. Pater noster
12. Song of Songs: X. Vulnerasti cor meum, soror mea
13. Missa Hodie Christus natus est: IV. Sanctus
14. Missa Hodie Christus natus est: V. Benedictus
15. Magnificat quarti toni
16. Salve Regina

The Sixteen

Harry Christophers

Compilation: 2026

Label: CORO

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Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (c. 1525–1594) was the foremost composer of the late Renaissance and a central figure of the Roman School, alongside Orlande de Lassus and Tomás Luis de Victoria. Born in Palestrina in the Papal States, he spent most of his career in Rome, serving at major churches including St. Peter’s Basilica. Renowned for over 100 masses and 250 motets, he shaped Catholic sacred music during the Counter-Reformation. His refined contrapuntal technique—later codified by Johann Joseph Fux—became the model of the so-called “Palestrinian style,” securing his enduring influence on Western church music.

The Sixteen is a British choir and period-instrument orchestra founded in 1977 by conductor Harry Christophers (b. 1953). Originally formed by sixteen friends, the ensemble gave its first billed concert in 1979 and has since become internationally renowned for performances of early English polyphony, Renaissance, Baroque, and early Classical repertoire, alongside selected contemporary works. The group is closely associated with major cultural institutions, serving as “The Voices of Classic FM,” collaborating with Sky Arts, and appearing regularly at venues such as London’s Southbank Centre and Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall. Its annual Choral Pilgrimage tours bring sacred music to historic British cathedrals, and its work has been featured in the BBC series Sacred Music.