Professor Peter Schubert and his award winning ensemble VivaVoce have released a new CD- Scenes from the Gospels: Motets from Josquin to Palestrina
The disc features Renaissance motets based on texts from the Gospels. These pieces were composed between 1500 and 1564 by the "lost generation" of composers - Willaert, Jachet, Manchicourt and Gombert, and depict various events in the life of Jesus, from birth to crucifixion. VivaVoce was founded in Montreal in 1998 by Peter Schubert. The award-winning ensemble is committed to performing classical music from all periods and to developing the art of Canadian choral music by commissioning at least one new work each year. Their unusual “commentated concert” format, in which Schubert precedes pieces or sets with engaging demonstrations, is designed to stimulate knowledge and appreciation of choral music in children and adults alike.
VivaVoce’s virtuosic performances of difficult contemporary scores have gained it a reputation as Montreal’s leading chamber choir, and last year earned it an Opus prize for “création de l’année.” The ensemble is invited regularly to appear on contemporary concert series and festivals such as the Festival International de Musique Actuelle de Victoriaville, Montréal/Nouvelles Musiques and MusiMars, as well as with ensembles like Quasar, Sixtrum Percussion Ensemble and Bradyworks.