This disc offers a recording of a polyphonic masterpiece, Pierre de la Rue’s ‘Missa cum Jocunditate’, but it’s also an homage to Hieronymus Bosch, whose 500th death anniversary is being marked all over the world. It’s performed by Cappella Pratensis, an experienced ensemble with a rich discography of polyphonic works on Challenge Classics.

Music clearly fascinated the great Dutch artist Hieronymus Bosch: his sketches and painitnings are peppered with closely-observed depictions of music-making and musical instruments. Bosch and de la Rue lived in the same period and both were members of the same Confraternity; it is most likely that the painter attended a performance of this Mass.

The Dutch-based vocal ensemble Cappella Pratensis – literally ‘Cappella des prés’ – champions the music of Josquin Desprez and the polyphonists of the 15th and 16th centuries. The group combines historically informed performance practice with inventive programmes and original interpretations based on scholarly research and artistic insight. As in Josquin’s time, the members of Cappella Pratensis perform from a central music stand, singing from the original mensural notation scored in a large choirbook. This approach, together with attention to the linguistic origin of the compositions and the modal system on which it is based, offers a unique perspective on the repertoire. Founded in 1987, Cappella Pratensis is currently under the artistic direction of singer and conductor Stratton Bull.