When this disc by
De Labyrintho of Josquin's radiant Missa Gaudeamus was released in early 2006, there was only one other recording available: a 1997 recording by
A Sei Voci. For listeners who had not already heard the earlier disc, the choice was tough. Both discs were astoundingly beautifully recorded, albeit in totally different ways:
De Labyrintho's Stradivarius sound was clear and clean and deep, while
A Sei Voci's Astree sound was rich and warm and full. Both performances were astonishingly well-sung, albeit again in totally different ways: the smaller
De Labyrintho's performance was lean and pure and cool, while the larger
A Sei Voci's performance was lush and plush and warm. Both interpretations were wholly and completely spiritual, with perhaps more sublimity in
De Labyrintho's more devotional performance and possibly more humanity in
A Sei Voci's more ritualized performance. For listeners who had heard the earlier disc, however, the choice was clear. With Josquin' luminous counterpoint and numinous harmonies performed in both cases with such obvious love and immense commitment, the only reasonable choice was both.