The first joint project of the renowned Leipzig vocal ensembles amarcord and Calmus has been published by Carus: The focus is on Antoine Brumel’s splendid twelve-part Mass, which is said to have been performed in the St. Thomas Church on the occasion of the famous Leipzig Debate between Martin Luther and the papal representative Johannes Eck in 1519. A climax of Leipzig’s musical life and at the same time a milestone in polyphonic vocal music. The mass is complemented by compositions by Josquin des Préz, Johann Walter, Thomas Stoltzer and others. Here’s a video about the creation of the recording.

 

amarcord and Calmus will perform the musical program for the Leipzig Debate on June 16, 2019, 500 years after the historical event at the original venue, the St. Thomas Church in Leipzig, as part of the Leipzig Bach Festival.