Morales: L’Homme Armé Masses, Magnificat Secundi Toni – De Profundis

The anonymous L’homme armé tune was widely used in 15th- and 16th-century Europe as structural and melodic inspiration for composers to base their masses on. The reason for its enduring appeal is not really understood but its catchy melody and the evocative, martial theme was clearly appreciated by composers from Dufay to Carissimi. De Profundis continues its Morales Project with two very different but equally exquisite Masses on this melody, alongside his spectacular Magnificat secundi toni. De Profundis is a hand-picked vocal ensemble that performs continental Renaissance sacred music at the original low pitch, using the all-adult-male forces appropriate to the period. Conducted alternately by Robert Hollingworth and Eamonn Dougan, the group will release 10 albums on CORO over the next decade, completing their exploration of Morales’ work.