Christie Redemptor: Polyphonic Motets for Voice and Lute Mignarda

• Adam Gumpelzhaimer (1559 - 1625): Hodie Christus natus est:
• 1 Gumpelzhaimer: Hodie Christus natus est 01:58
• Anonymous: Verbum caro factum est:
• 2 Anonymous: Verbum caro factum est 02:58
• Verbum caro factum est (Intrumental Lute):
• 3 Anonymous: Verbum caro factum est (Intrumental Lute) 01:58
• Philippe Verdelot: Gabriel archangelus apparuit:
• 4 Verdelot: Gabriel archangelus apparuit 04:14
• Tomas Luis de Victoria (1548 - 1611): Christe Redemptor omnium:
• 5 Victoria: Christe Redemptor omnium 08:04
• Francesco da Milano (1497 - 1543): Recercar (Instrumental Lute):
• 6 Milano: Recercar (Instrumental Lute) 01:34
• Cristóbal de Morales (1500 - 1553): O magnum mysterium:
• 7 Morales: O magnum mysterium 03:02
• Hans Leo Hassler (1564 - 1612): Angelus ad pastores ait:
• 8 Hassler: Angelus ad pastores ait 02:44
• Traditional German: Personent hodie:
• 9 German: Personent hodie 02:29
• Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina: Tribus miraculis:
• 10 Palestrina: Tribus miraculis 04:08
• Total Runtime 33:09

Info for Christie Redemptor: Polyphonic Motets for Voice and Lute

Our collection of music for the Christmas season explores polyphonic music of the 15th and 16th centuries in historically-appropriate adaptations for the ideal combination of solo voice and lute. The music on this album offered the welcome opportunity to return our roots as church musicians dedicated to singing the traditional Latin Mass, and with the exception of the instrumental “Recercar” by Francesco da Milano, all of the music was arranged for solo voice and lute by Mignarda from the original polyphonic vocal music. Based upon surviving evidence, such arrangements were common practice in the 16th century by musicians either adapting to the available resources or, in the case of Palestrina, using the lute to work out parts during the compositional process.

All of the music is sung in historical Latin, the universal language of the liturgy and once in standard use by educated persons throughout Europe. The text of “Personent Hodie” is primarily Latin with a German accent, but we add a further twist with a verse in English at the end. Even with the common theme of texts in Latin, we present quite diverse styles by 15th and 16th century composers from the German states, England, France, Spain, and Italy.

The title, “Christe Redemptor,” establishes a theme for our album. While the office hymn is proper for the Christmas season, Tomás Luis de Victoria composed more than one setting of “Christe Redemptor,” with an alternate text and music for Feast of All Saints. We offer this contemplative collection of intimate performances of historical polyphony to celebrate Christmas throughout the year.

Donna Stewart, mezzo-soprano
Ron Andrico, lute

Donna Stewart & Ron Andrico
better known as Mignarda, are one of the few professional lute song duos in the US. Dedicated to music of the 16th century, Mignarda's engaging approach has set a new standard for interpretation, authenticity and musicianship. Based in rural upstate New York, Mignarda performs throughout the US with an international audience for their seventeen critically-acclaimed recordings and a growing series of editions of historical music for voice and lute. Mignarda's CD, Divine Amarillis, received the 2009 JPF Best Classical Vocal Album Award, and the duo maintain an active schedule in touring, recording and teaching. In addition to live performances, their music has gained international exposure through radio and television broadcasts across the US.

Duo Mignarda is unique in that their musical background mirrors that of the typical musician of the Renaissance: They bring the music to life because they live the music. Together, the duo specialize in performing music that resides in the grey zone between folk and art music, with interpretations that follow the renaissance ideal of 'moving the passions' of the listener. Capturing the nuance and intricacy of early music with warmth and flair, Mignarda’s performances remind 21st century audiences that at one time this was pop music.

Booklet for Christie Redemptor: Polyphonic Motets for Voice and Lute