A little-known Flemish composer who flourished at the turn of the 16th Century, he is best remembered for a Latin mass composed in twelve polyphonic parts, Et ecce terræmotus (And behold, the earth quaked). The most authentic surviving source is a single copy made under the aegis of Orlande de Lassus, but the last pages rotted, variously affecting seven of the twelve voices in the final movement, the Agnus Dei.
I made the following completion of the damaged Agnus Dei in 1996, and it was first performed by the Corinthian Singers, conducted by Leonie Hempton, at St Peter’s Cathedral, Adelaide on June 20, 1999.
Most recently on June 15, 2003, the completion was performed in concert by the Gloriana vocal ensemble, conducted by Andrew Raiskums. I was able to attend this concert and while unfortunately the recording equipment failed, a backup recording was made (with flaws owing to interference from a radio station). Despite these caveats, you may wish to listen to their live performance of this movement. (MPEG-1 Audio Layer 3, 2.3 megabytes)
I am currently revising the Agnus Dei (again!), and would like to especially acknowledge Bernhard Lang, who has furnished me with photocopied fac similes of the manuscript. This page of notes describes the detailed work involved in making the completion.
| Antoine Brumel (fl. 1483 – 1513) Missa Et ecce terræmotus – Agnus Dei à 12 Completed by Philip Legge |
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