JOSQUIN, THE UNDEAD
Laments, deplorations and dances of death
Works by Josquin Desprez (c.1450-1521)

01 Musae Jovis [Nicolas Gombert]
02 Baisiez moy
03 Parfons regretz
04 Cueur langoreulx
05 Faulte d’argent
06 Petite Camusette
07 Douleur me bat
08 N’esse pas un grant desplaisir
09 Si vous n’avez autre desir [Jean Le Brun]
10 Nymphes des bois
11 O mors inevitabilis [Hieronymus Vinders]
12 Se congie prens
13 Plusieurs regretz
14 Je me complains
15 Pour souhaitter
16 Nimphes, nappes
17 Regretz sans fin
18 Musae Jovis [Benedictus Appenzeller]

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About this album

Björn Schmelzer and his ensemble provide their special vision in this Josquin Desprez anniversary. With the conviction that Josquin, during his late years, produced works in sight of his own death, Graindelavoix renders 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 goes beyond all standards and presents another ground-breaking interpretation of well-known repertoire.

Added to Josquin’s compositions 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.