Salve Mater - Salve Jesu

In recent years the musical culture in Bohemia at the turn of the 16th century has attracted not only the attention of musicologists, but even more the attention of performers of early music. It is clear that the particular character of the transmitted manuscript sources for this musical repertory, presents inviting combinations of the ubiquitous Chant repertory with more local traditions of monophonic and polyphonic songs and motets of domestic origin. Some of the musical manuscripts, like the Codex Speciálník from which this recording presents several pieces, equally include the works of significant composers, active during the 2nd half of the 15th century: Pulloys, Touront, Frye, Bedyngham, Busnoys. Even the early works of members of the Josquin generation already appear in Bohemian sources soon after their presumed date of composing. Together with the public and critics, Schola Gregoriana Pragensis and Capilla Flamenca have enjoyed the mixing and juxtaposition of their specific sound pallets for several years. The Schola Gregoriana Pragensis was set up by David Eben in 1987. Thanks to the ensemble’s intensive study of medieval sources, its programmes also include a number of unique, newly discovered compositions dating from the 13th to 15th centuries. The ensemble’s CDs have received a number of awards. The Capilla Flamenca recruits its specialist musicians mainly from Flanders so as to bring the unique timbre of this brilliant 15th and 16th music to life once again in its full authenticity. Artistic director Dirk Snellings assembles unique and innovatory programmes in collaboration with prominent musicologists. Barbara Maria Willi belongs to the most outstanding harpsichord players of the Czech Republic. She has co- operated with important personalities such as Magdalena Kozená, Martina Janková, John Holloway, Jiri Bárta, Eric Hoeprich, Jos van Immerseel and Sergio Azzolini.