Byrd Ensemble sings “Pater peccavi“ by Thomas Crecquillon

We know little about Flemish Thomas Crecquillon (–1557). He was born in the Low Countries, became a priest and a member of the chapel of Emperor Charles V as either a singer or chapel master, and died in 1557, likely in a plague outbreak in Béthune. “Pater peccavi,“ a motet about the story of the Prodigal Son scored for eight voices, epitomizes the Flemish style that considered uninterrupted counterpoint (especially eight-part counterpoint) to be the highest art. The style valued subtle and intimate expression over antiphonal or polychoral music that was meant to impress by sheer size and volume. Support us by making a donation. Your contributions help us perform and record Renaissance and vocal chamber music. *** Pater peccavi in coelum et coram te. Iam non sum dignus vocari filius tuus, fac me sicut unum ex mercenariis tuis. Quanti mercenarii in domo Patris mei abundant panibus, ego autem h