Glossa’s album “Josquin the Undead. Laments, Deplorations and Dances of Death”, with our recording artists Graindelavoix directed by Björn Schmelzer, has been awarded a yearly “Preis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik”, in its 2022 edition. This is Germany’s most important independent award. Congratulations to our artists and (a bit) to ourselves. It’s a great honour to have been working with such a ground-breaking ensemble for more than 15 years now.

Björn Schmelzer and his ensemble provided their special vision in the Josquin Desprez 2021 anniversary. With the conviction that Josquin, during his late years, produced works in sight of his own death, Graindelavoix rendered compositions included in Tielman Susato’s 1545 Antwerp print (Septiesme livre de chansons, published 24 years after the composer’s life ended). With an all-male vocal ensemble and a subtile instrumental accompaniment, Graindelavoix again went beyond all standards and presented another ground-breaking interpretation of well-known repertoire.

Added to Josquin’s compositions, on the album are three laments for his own death, written by Gombert, Vinders and Appenzeller. Gombert’s deploration Musae Jovis is one of his most breathtaking compositions, finishing with an exceptional dance à l’antique in which subterranean, terrestrial and heavenly elements indulge together praising the undead composer Josquin.

photos © Koen Broos, Marius Peterson