Missa Tecum principium
Maria plena virtute

The Missa Tecum principium is perhaps Fayrfax’s most beautiful mass setting, especially the final movement setting the words of the Agnus Dei. Taking a Christmas melody as its theme, it is obviously a later work in the composer’s output. Serene and also powerful, it shows a master musician at work. With it is a most remarkable antiphon – Maria plena virtute. This is a meditation on the Passion and can be counted as the composer’s finest work. Here also are the plangent sounds of the Frideswide Consort playing three exquisite instrumental pieces.

 Click on the red track in the listing
to hear a sample from the disc

BBC MUSIC MAGAZINE