Sebastian de Vivanco - Missa pro defunctiss; Motets (The Renaissance Singers)

Information

1. Cristobal de Morales - Circumdederunt me gemitus mortis
2. Sebastian de Vivanco - De profundis clamavi
3. Sebastian de Vivanco - Parce mihi, Domine
4. Sebastian de Vivanco - Versa est in luctum
5. Sebastian de Vivanco - Manus tuae, Domine
6. Sebastian de Vivanco - Missa pro defunctis: I. Introit. Requiem æternam
7. Sebastian de Vivanco - Missa pro defunctis: IIa. Kyrie eleison
8. Sebastian de Vivanco - Missa pro defunctis: IIb. Kyrie eleison
9. Sebastian de Vivanco - Missa pro defunctis: III. Tractus. Absolve, Domine
10. Sebastian de Vivanco - Missa pro defunctis: IV. Offertory. Domine Jesu Christe
11. Sebastian de Vivanco - Missa pro defunctis: Va. Sanctus - Benedictus
12. Sebastian de Vivanco - Missa pro defunctis: Vb. Sanctus
13. Sebastian de Vivanco - Missa pro defunctis: VI. Agnus Dei
14. Sebastian de Vivanco - Circumdederunt me dolores mortis a5
15. Sebastian de Vivanco - O Domine Jesu Christe
16. Bernardino de Ribera - Dimitte me ergo
17. Juan Gutierrez de Padilla - Circumdederunt me dolores mortis a6
18. Melchor Robledo - Salve Regina

The Renaissance Singers

David Allinson, conductor

Date: 2026

Label: Toccata Classics

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Sebastian de Vivanco (c. 1551–1622) occupies a distinctive place within Spanish Renaissance polyphony, expanding beyond the dense contrapuntal textures and dark sonorities typical of the period. Though born in Ávila and active mainly in Salamanca, Vivanco developed a highly individual voice, employing a broad range of colors and techniques. His more dramatic motets anticipate early Baroque expression, while his Requiem, reconstructed and recorded here for the first time, embraces the Iberian tradition of chant-based polyphony. Marked by restraint, clarity, and refined harmonic writing, the work achieves a deeply moving expressive simplicity.

The Renaissance Singers is a specialist amateur chamber choir based in London, founded in 1944 by Michael Howard to promote Renaissance sacred polyphony at the outset of the early music movement. After a period of inactivity in the 1980s, the ensemble was revived in 1992 under Michael Procter and has since flourished under successive directors. The choir presents regular concerts and workshops in London and has performed at major cultural institutions and international events. Recent highlights include participation in international competitions, theatrical collaborations, and broadcasts on BBC Radio 3.

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