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.