During the last thirty years of his life, Orlande De Lassus was the most celebrated composer in Europe. From the time that he took up the duties of maestro di cappella in the court of the Dukes of Bavaria at Munich, he began to be called 'prince of musicians' and 'the divine Orlande'. The pieces selected for this recording represent Lassus's treatment of them of death during the mature period. The first group considers the death of Christ; the second, the death of a Christian. Stephen Cleobury is associated with two of the most famous choirs; as Director of Music at King's College, Cambridge and Chief Conductor of the BBC Singers.

Songlist: Lamentatio Prima, Lamentatio Secunda, Lamtatio Tertia, Motet: In Monte Oliveti, Tract: Absolve, Domine, Introitus: Requiem Aeternam, Kyrie Eleison, Gradule: Si Ambulem, Offertoriu: Domine Jesu Christe, Sanctus, Agnus Dei, Communio: Lux Aeterna, Motet: Vide Homo

It was in seeking to set to music the emotions they found in literary texts and poems - imitar le parole - that the madrigalists of the early sixteenth century rediscovered the poetry of Francesco Petrarca. The rich imagery of his language provided the springboard for Orlande de Lassus, in particular, to show his mastery over a period of nearly forty years as one of the greatest composers of madrigals.

Songlist: Solo e pensoso, S'una fede amorosa, Di pensier in pensier, Tutto'l di piango, Cantai, hor piango, Che fai, alma?, La ver' l'aurora, Mia benigna fortuna, Io son si stanco sotto, I'vo piangendo