Muffat - Missa in Labore Requies

The Guardian 80

Cappella Murensis/Les Cornets Noirs/Strobl
(Audite)

The recent discovery of Alessandro Striggio’s huge 40-part Mass has whetted the appetite for other multi-choir works: Georg Muffat’s late 17th-century piece in 24 parts is modest in terms of size, but musically rather more interesting. The writing is subtle and expressive, and this recording using the four galleries of the abbey church in Muri mirrors well the probable original setting in Salzburg cathedral. The autograph score was owned by Joseph Haydn, who surely appreciated Muffat’s eloquent twists and turns of phrase. Johannes Strobl’s ensemble is sometimes unfocused but always energetic. They complement Muffat’s vocal music with rich, well-chosen instrumental sonatas by Heinrich Biber, Antonio Bertali and Johann Schmelzer: shining, skating sounds.