Voices of Connection: 08/23 Josquin Desprez

Today’s piece was chosen by long-time member of our tenor section, Brian Dougherty and by Audience Member Everrett Rowson! One of the greatest masterpieces of the Early Renaissance, this “Refuge of the Poor” motet is a prayer in a time of great distress. Brian writes, “I remember my first performance of the Josquin Tu Pauperum Refugium with Voices of Ascension vividly. There were only eight singers - just two on a part. There was a delicacy and intimacy of the sound, especially in the beautiful acoustic that is Church of the Ascension, that affected me deeply. I remember thinking of how fortunate I was to be a member of Voices, taking part in that performance. And now, as we all seek refuge and safety from this pandemic - and I so dearly miss making music with my talented colleagues - memories of that performance came flooding back to me. I thought there couldn't be a more fitting piece to be included in this Voices of Connection series.” Thanks, Brian and Everrett.

Dennis Keene


JOSQUIN DESPREZ Tu Pauperum Refugium

Voices of Ascension
Dennis Keene, Artistic Director

from the Delos recording Beyond Chant ℗ 1994 Delos
The singers in this performance are represented by the American Guild of Musical Artists, AFL-CIO.


Voices of Ascension