Jérôme Lejeune continues his History of Music series with this boxed set devoted to the Renaissance. The next volume in the series after Flemish Polyphony (RIC 102), this set explores the music of the 16th century from Josquin Desprez to Roland de Lassus. After all of the various turnings that music took during the Middle Ages, the music of the Renaissance seems to be a first step towards a common European musical style. Josquin Desprez’s example was followed by every composer in every part of Europe and in every musical genre, including the Mass setting, the motet and all of the various new types of solo song. Instrumental music was also to develop considerably from the beginning of the 16th century onwards. The musical excerpts that we have chosen include works by the most important composers of France, Italy, Germany, England, Spain and the Netherlands active during the 16th century. This boxed set is released in collaboration with the Château d’Écouen (Musée national de la Renaissance) in connection with the exhibition devoted to Renaissance music that has opened there in September 2013.

With the participation of: Joris Verdin, Jan Van Outryve, Jean Tubéry, Guy Penson, Christina Pluhar, Philippe Malfeyt, Rolf Lislevand, Siebe Henstra, Susan Hamilton, Bernard Foccroulle, Thomas Dunford, Vincent Dumestre, James Bowman, Pascale Boquet, Léon Berben, Vox Luminis, Syntagma Amici, Romanesque, Ricercar Consort, Odhecaton, Mezzaluna, Ludus Modalis, Le Miroir de Musique, La Morra, La Fenice, La Caccia, Ensemble Mare Nostrum, Ensemble Céladon, Doulce Mémoire, Ensemble Daedalus, Collegium Vocale Gent, Ensemble Clematis, Choeur de Chambre de Namur, Cappella Pratensis, Cappella Mediterranea, Capilla Flamenca

RIC 106