CAPELLA MARIANA

CODEX SPECIÁLNÍK - POLYPHONY IN PRAGUE AROUND 1500

Album detail
Catalogue number: KTC1571

The renowned vocal ensemble Cappella Mariana directed by Vojtěch Semerád comes with another revealing recording project, “Codex Speciálník”. Since July 2017 this latest CD of the ensemble has been available through the distribution network of Supraphon. One of the most important sources from Bohemia in the Middle Ages, the codex has still not received a sufficient attention by performers, it will take the listeners to the final two decades of the 15th century.
The manuscript containing polyphonic music which originated in Prague in the course of the last two decades of the 15th century, is considered one of the most important sources of music from Bohemia in the late Middle Ages. The contents of the codex mostly relate to the mass liturgy of the Utraquist Church and comprise parts of the ordinary, motets, and religious songs, but also non-liturgical sacred music, as well as repertoire intended for instrumental interpretation.
Cappella Mariana introduces a programme composed of pieces from the Codex Speciálník which have for most part been neglected by musicians. The selection represents the varied and often surprising character of the Franco-Flemish polyphony from the 15th century, combining music from Western Europe and Italy with the works of some Central European authors, as well as some original compositions by unknown local authors.

The recording was realised with the financial support of the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic.

More information about the project “Codex Speciálník”:
www.facebook.com/cappellamariana

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