Werrecore - Siglo de Oro

SIGLO DE ORO’S WERRECORE RECORDING PROJECT
THE PROJECT
The aim of the project was to bring attention to the music of Matthias Werrecore,
maestro at Milan Cathedral in the first half of the 16th century. Remarkably, none of
Werrecore’s sacred music had been recorded before this project. Alongside Werrecore’s
motets, the programme to be recorded also included motets by his Milanese
predecessors and contemporaries Franchinus Gaffurius, Josquin des Prez and Gaspar
van Weerbeke. Thanks to generous grants from Angel Early Music, GEMMA Classical
Music Trust and Thistle Trust, and over 50 individual donors, the project was able to go
ahead.
RECORDING SESSIONS
The recording sessions took place in the chapel of Merton College Oxford on April
22-24 2019 by kind permission of the Master and Fellows of the College.
CD RELEASE: MUSIC FOR MILAN CATHEDRAL
In November 2019 the finished CD was released on Delphian Records (Delphian
DCD34224). As of January 2020, the disc has received three press reviews and numerous
plays on BBC Radio 3.
REVIEWS
'Werrecore is a significant rediscovery who richly deserves the attention of these
youthful voices and our ears. Siglo de Oro display emotion, dynamic sensitivity,
sustained lines and a balance revealing the interplay of internal voices... plumbing deep
wells of spiritual devotion, this music meets its match in committed performances of
simultaneous unanimity of character.'
Choir and Organ *****
‘I last encountered Siglo de Oro and Patrick Allies on a recording of Hieronymus
Prætorius’ music for Easter on another ground-breaking Delphian recording... The new
recording continues the good news... May we have more, please?'
Music Web International
‘Siglo de Oro use a group of 13 singers with female sopranos and a mixed line up of
altos. They make a lovely even blended sound, very clear and beautifully smooth. It is a
very English sound, think Tallis Scholars, though Patrick Allies has created a distinctive
sound for the group and is anything but bland. The disc is imaginatively put together,
and certainly deserves to give Werrecore the exposure he deserves.'
Robert Hugill ****