The end of the summer brings hints of the autumn richness to come. It is tinged with feelings around the start of a new academic year, of putting away the relaxed feel of summer and getting down to some serious work. This has become a traditional time for luminatus vocal ensemble to record, and 2025 was no exception. We had the time to renew bonds of friendship, whilst exploring some new repertoire.
The thread of the music followed our previous recordings. A mass by Phillipe de Monte, based on the famous madrigal by Cipriano de Rore. Ancor che col partire is an erotic love song, a perhaps surprising choice for a sacred mass. The musical material of this madrigal is embedded across the mass, leading to music which is expansive, but rhythmic and relatively homophonic. We also explored music by Tiburtio Massaino and Ippolito Baccusi, alongside Verdelot and Stivori. Some really interesting pieces here. Finally, we recorded works by contemporary female composers. This included two pieces by Cheryl Frances-Hoad, a wonderful setting of a George Herbert poem by Cecilia McDowall, music by Melissa Dunphy and a piece by Kerry Andrew. We also took the opportunity to record a piece by a young New Zealand composer, Rosa Elliot.
The recording will be out in spring 2026, as our thoughts turn towards the new summer ahead.