Peter PHILIPS (1560/61 - 1628)
Cantiones Sacrae Quinis et Octonibus Vocis
Christus resurgens a 5 [3:45]
Disciplinam et sapientiam a 5* [2:27]
Loquebantur variis linguis a 5 [2:51]
Ne reminiscaris, Domine a 5* [2:52]
Gabriel angelus apparuit a 5* [3:07]
Viae Sion lugent a 5 [3:13]
Ave Jesu Christe a 8 [3:53]
Pater noster a 5* [3:40]
Beata Agnes a 5* [4:09]
Elegerunt Apostoli a 5* [3:21]
Media vita a 5* [3:40]
Ave Regina coelorum a 8 [3:38]
Ave gratia plena a 5* [3:00]
Ecce vicit Leo a 8 [3:50]
Ne timeas, Maria a 5* [1:53]
Gaude Maria virgo a 5 [3:07]
Virgo prudentissima a 5 [3:34]
Cum jucunditate a 5 [3:11]
Salve Regina a 5* [2:51]
Eia ergo a 5* [3:07]
The Sarum Consort/Andrew Mackay; Nigel Gardner (organ)*
rec. 28 - 30 August 2000, Wardour Chapel, Tisbury, Wiltshire, UK. DDD
Texts and translations available at Naxos website
NAXOS 8.572832 [65:08]
The name of Peter Philips is probably mostly associated with music for keyboard.
This part of his oeuvre has fared much better in the hands of the recording
industry than his vocal oeuvre. The latter is far larger than his keyboard
output, though. In his article on Philips in New Grove John Steele
even states that "[the] heart of Philips' music undoubtedly lies in his madrigals
and motets". Considering its size and quality it is hard to understand that
only a relatively small part of his vocal oeuvre has been recorded. It is
also surprising that this disc was released only in 2011, whereas the recording
dates from 2000. I don't know all the available recordings. However I am not
impressed by the interpretations I have heard. The present disc is not going
to change that, I'm afraid.
Peter Philips, who in all probability was a pupil of William Byrd, left England
for religious reasons. He stayed for some time in Italy which had a lasting
influence on his development as a composer. He spent the largest part of his
life in the Spanish Netherlands, where from 1591 until his death he was active
as an organist and keyboard teacher. His first printed collections of vocal
music were devoted to the madrigal, published in Antwerp between 1596 and
1603. In 1612 he published his two collections of Cantiones Sacrae
in 1612 and 1613. They were reprinted in 1617 and 1625 respectively. In these
new editions he added a basso continuo part which shows that he was receptive
to the stylistic developments of his time.
The English poet Henry Peacham wrote that Philips' vocal music "affecteth
altogether the Italian vein". That comes to the fore in the use of madrigalisms
and word-painting as well as contrasting rhythms. This should affect the interpretation,
but unfortunately that is not the case in this recording. Let me start by
pointing out some positive aspects. The motets are sung with one voice per
part. That is probably closest to common practice in Philips' time, more than
a performance with a large choir such as The Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge
whose recording was released by Chandos in 2010 (reviewed
here). As Philips' motets are available with and without basso continuo,
it is up to interpreters whether to use an organ. In this recording some motets
are performed with organ, others a cappella. The Latin texts are pronounced
in a way which could well reflect practice in Dutch-speaking Netherlands.
It is positive that Andrew Mackay has given this subject some thought. Others
are less careful in this respect.
That is as positive as I can be about this recording. Considering its small
size I am surprised that the voices don't blend really well. That is partly
due to the slight vibrato of most singers which damages the ensemble. Another
notable feature is the lack of balance within the consort. The disc opens
with the motet Christus resurgens, and one could get the impression
that this is a piece for soprano solo. The other voices are almost reduced
to accompaniment. In many motets the upper voices are too dominant. In Pater
noster the soprano seems to move independently from the other voices.
Although this motet has only one treble part and two bass parts, the soprano
still dominates. It has to be said, though, that the lower voices have little
presence anyway.
The text is seriously underexposed. In music which shows the traits of the
modern Italian style the words deserve much more attention. There is also
a reluctance to use dynamic shading to underline some elements in the text.
Generally these performances are dynamically rather flat. An important aspect
are the rhythms which Philips often uses to single out episodes in the text.
These are not given sufficient attention. You have to listen carefully to
notice them, but I am sure that Philips wanted them to be exposed more clearly,
in order to communicate the content. The madrigalism with which Ecce vicit
Leo opens is hardly noticeable.
I was severely disappointed by Trinity College Choir's performance, and I
have to say the same about this recording. One of the most convincing recordings
of Philips' vocal music is that by Currende, directed by Erik Van Nevel (Accent,
1989). The Choir of Westminster Cathedral is probably a bit too large for
this music, but in their recording (Hyperion, 1992) a number of motets are
performed with instruments doubling the voices. This is a good option, because
the participation of instruments was common practice on the continent in Philips'
time.
There is every reason for Philips' vocal music to be recorded complete. Byrd's
vocal oeuvre is also available on disc in its entirety, so why not the same
treatment for Philips? Unfortunately this disc by The Sarum Consort falls
short of doing him justice.
Johan van Veen
http://www.musica-dei-donum.org
https://twitter.com/johanvanveen
Another failed attempt to do Philips' music justice.
see also review by Robert Hugill