A Spanish Nativity

1. Tomás Luis de Victoria - Motet O magnum mysterium
2. Francisco Guerrero - Motet Beata Dei genitrix Maria
3. Francisco Guerrero - A un niño llorando
4. Alonso Lobo - Missa Beata Dei genitrix Maria, Kyrie
5. Alonso Lobo - Missa Beata Dei genitrix Maria, Gloria
6. Mateo Flecha ‘El Viejo - Ensalada El Jubilate
7. Alonso Lobo - Missa Beata Dei genitrix Maria, Credo
8. Mateo Flecha ‘El Viejo’ - Villancico Ríu ríu chíu
9. Alonso Lobo - Missa Beata Dei genitrix Maria, Sanctus & Benedictus
10. Pedro Rimonte - Villancico De la piel de sus ovejas
11. Alonso Lobo - Missa Beata Dei genitrix Maria, Agnus Dei
12. Cristóbal de Morales - Motet Cum natus esset Jesus

The Spanish ‘Golden Age’ witnessed an astonishing musical flowering, worthy of Spain’s new-found preeminence on the world stage. Focusing on works for Christmas and Epiphany, Stile Antico explores this glittering musical treasury, drawing together an irresistible mix of sumptuous polyphony and infectiously joyful folk dances. The centrepiece of the disc is the superbly rich and luminous Missa Beata Dei genitrix Maria by Alonso Lobo. Interspersed between its movements are motets by Victoria, Guerrero and Morales, an exuberant ensalada by Flecha, and classic villancicos – Spain’s answer to the traditional carol.