Various Composers - Our Lady of Antwerp. A Musical Path to Rubens (Utopia Ensemble; Psallentes)

Information

1. Johannes Pullois - O beata Maria / De madame au biau corps gentil
2. Anonymous - O quam glorifica
3. Jacobus Barbireau - Missa Virgo parens Christi: I. Kyrie
4. Jacob Obrecht - Missa Sicut spina rosam: II. Gloria
5. Anonymous - Cum inducerent / Psalm 102 (103), 3–4 / Inviolata
6. Noel Bauldeweyn - Missa Inviolata: III. Credo
7. Anonymous - Videte miraculum
8. Antoine Barbé - Missa Vecy la danse de Barbarie: IV. Sanctus
9. Geert van Turnhout - Mon cœur se recommande à vous
10. Séverin Cornet - Ave virgo speciosa
11. Anonymous - Missus est Gabriel / Psalm 102 (103), 1–2 / Iam cum Deo
12. Noë Faignient - Susanne un iour
13. Andreas Pevernage - Beata es Virgo Maria
14. Matthias Pottier - Missa Sine Nomine: V. Agnus Dei
15. Anonymous - Ave regina caelorum / Psalm 102 (103) 9–10 / Regali ex progenie / Psalm 102 (103), 21–22
16. Peter Philips - Cantiones Sacræ quinis vocibus: No. 37, Assumpta est Maria

Utopia Ensemble

    Michaela Riener, mezzosoprano

    Bart Uvyn, countertenor

    Adriaan De Koster, tenor

    Lieven Termont, baritone

    Guillaume Olry, bass

&

Sarah Van Mol, soprano (13)

Psallentes

Hendrik Vanden Abeele, direction

Date: 2026

Label: Ramée

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This recording explores the musical heritage of Antwerp’s Church of Our Lady, a preeminent Low Countries center for polyphony during the 15th and 16th centuries. Tracing the evolution of polyphonic music from late medieval traditions to the early Baroque era, the collection integrates native Gregorian chant to reflect the continuous daily liturgy of the church, its chapels, and local guilds. The program highlights the city's enduring devotion to the Virgin Mary, a tradition still visible throughout Antwerp's urban architecture and culture. Concluding in the Rubens era, the selection aligns Peter Philips’ Assumpta est Maria with Rubens’ iconic altar painting inside the cathedral.

Founded in 2015, the Belgian Utopia Ensemble is a five-member vocal group featuring Michaela Riener, Bart Uvyn, Adriaan De Koster, Lieven Termont, and Guillaume Olry. Specializing in 16th-century polyphony, the ensemble delivers an expressive, balanced, and homogeneous sound across major European stages and acclaimed recordings on the Etcetera and Ramée labels. Resident at Antwerp’s Sint-Paulus Church, the group draws inspiration from Thomas More’s Utopia to champion a broader societal role. Beyond their musical performances, they host the annual Utopia Festival Day, integrating fine arts, cinema, and public debates on social themes into their artistic mission.