The clear and tightly sung lines of Cappella Pratensis are enchanting ★★★★☆

The vocal ensemble Cappella Pratensis once again brings the 14th-century Illustre Lieve Vrouwe Broederschap from Den Bosch to life. The society, which dates from 1318, had its own chapel where the best singers and organists add to the sound of Christian solidarity. The choral works are contained in nine books. Cappella Pratensis produces the manuscripts on five albums. This is the third, called Apostola apostolorum†

The brotherhood was founded in honor of Mary, the mother of Jesus. This album contains a mass for the other Mary: Mary Magdalene, disciple of Jesus according to the New Testament. She too was present at Jesus’ crucifixion and the first to see him after his resurrection, according to the Gospel of John. Hence her nickname: the apostle of the apostles.

The five-part mass by the Franco-Flemish composer Nicolas Champion (ca. 1475-1533) is interspersed with official chants. The clear and tightly sung lines in homophonic Gregorian chant are enchanting. You are hypnotized by the interweaving of the voices in polyphonic tissues of notes.