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DCD34130-CD
£14.99
Jean Maillard’s life is shrouded in mystery, and his music is rarely heard today. Yet in his own time his works were both influential and widely known: indeed, the musicologist François Lesure held him to have been one of the most important French composers of his era.
Who better, then, than The Marian Consort and Rory McCleery, a scholar as well as a performer of rising acclaim, to give this composer’s rich and varied output its first dedicated recording? Their characteristically precise and yet impassioned performances bring out both the network of influence in which Maillard’s music participated – its Josquinian pedigree, and influence on successors including Lassus and Palestrina – and its striking, individual beauty.
"This is no-nonsense musicianship, but for all that thoroughly musical...The unfussy performance helps the music enormously."
"There is plenty more music by Maillard awaiting attention. This relishable CD suggests we should be hearing it."
"The performances are models of discretion and musical taste, every texture clear, every phrase beautifully shaped."
"Little is known about the 16th-century composer, except that his beautifully smooth polyphony was much admired...As revealed with pellucid clarity by Rory McCleery’s young Marian Consort on this first recording devoted exclusively to Maillard, he was a subtly expressive composer."
"The pioneering Marian Consort presents the first disc completely dedicated to this musical man of mystery with their characteristic delicacy of phrasing and excellent ensemble"
"meticulously crafted phrasing...Maillard's interesting and deeply satisfying music fully deserves the attention the Consort has given it. The sound engineering is flawless and McCleery's lucidly expressed essay...completes what is, all in all, an enjoyable experience."
"The motets are more adventurous, declamatory and cleverly nuanced, with a recognisable house style. The Marian Consort produces a very pleasing sound"
EARLY MUSIC TODAY
Category: Choral, Early Music, Rory McCleery, The Marian Consort