SACRED MUSIC

When Lambert de Sayve, born in Liège and pupil of the great Philippus de Monte, embarked for the Imperial Chapel in Vienna in 1562, he was at the starting point of a brilliant career. Becoming singing master at the sumptuous abbey of Melk, he ended his career as master of music at the court of the Emperor. In 1612, he wrote his Sacrae Symphoniae which was highly regarded by Michael Praetorius.

De Sayve’s impressive 16 voiced Missa Dominus regnavit, full of colour and massive chords, predates the great polyphonic masses by von Biber. The sixteen voices are divided into four choirs that span just under three octaves and, according to the trend current at that time, indicate that instruments were also used. Not all of the parts are provided with a text and one of the parts is even clearly marked fagotto o voce forte. His Symphoniae Sacrae contains a collection of no less than 114 motets. Some are occasional pieces, but there are also many Marian motets to be found. De Sayve’s version of the Ave Maria is divided between two choirs, of which the upper choir seems to have to perform the entire work; the lower choir takes over from the Sancta Maria, as if this invocation were truly to seem to come from the depths.

Oltremontano under the direction of baroque trombonist Wim Becu has been one of the leading authentic brass ensembles internationally for the last fi fteen years. Thanks to their researches, their technical refi nement and irresistible interpretations, the baroque trombone repertoire has become familiar to the general public from the 1990s onwards. Wim Becu studied at the conservatories of Antwerp and The Hague and was introduced to the fl edgling early music movement at a young age. He began a long-lasting collaboration with the Huelgas Ensemble and Paul Van Nevel in 1980. His great passion for the music and his never ending enthusiasm quickly made him one of the most prominent performers in many international ensembles and orchestras. 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.