Some quick thoughts on
Diabolus in Musica's recording of this classic work.The care in crafting long, intricate melodies is common to all early music, and this Mass is a great example.
Plainchant is of much less interest to me than the polyphonic ordinary and motets, but unlike most other complete mass settings where I usually skip these tracks, here I rather enjoy Diabolus in Musica's intense and compelling interpretation. I especially love the lower range of the ensemble.
I appreciate their medieval French pronounciation of Latin: French U (like german ü), silent consonants at the end of words, silent S following a vowel. It matches the historical records stating that Romance language speakers spoke Latin very similarly to their respective vernaculars.
All in all, this is reverent and contemplative music, and polyphony only reveals its full glory after several attentive listenings. This style is demanding, but very rewarding once the taste has been acquired.
