Thirteen voices enter one after another, creating intricate layers of exquisite harmonies. The echoes roll around the columns. The arches thrill to the deep and beautiful sound, a real treat which blends the purity and richness of the majestic polyphonies written for the Sistine Chapel or the Tudor court. Simply sumptuous.

OTHER VIDEO
Ave Maris Stella
Audio tracks available on their website: discantus.hu

The ensemble Discantus was created in the autumn of 1996 and gave its first concert in January 1997. It comprises mainly young musicians and is directed by Péter Mészáros, one of the singers. During the last 15 years, the choir has performed regularly in Budapest, throughout Hungary, and in many other European cities.
In 2001 Discantus won first prize in the “Mixed Choir” category at the 8th International Choral Competition in Budapest. In July that same year at the 2nd Johannes Brahms Competition in Wernigerode (Germany) the choir won first prize in its category, as well as the Competition’s Grand Prix
Lux de lumine, the choir’s first CD, was also recorded in 2001. Since then the ensemble has worked tirelessly on its repertoire, resulting in invitations to participate in many top productions. These include performances of the complete Bach cantatas, Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas and a series of concerts with the Budapest Chamber Orchestra at the National Academy of Music. For the 500th anniversary of the birth of the English composer Thomas Tallis, Discantus performed alongside the Arpa d’Or Choir in 10 concerts of his sacred music. To date this is the largest project that the ensemble has undertaken and features the famous motet for 40 voices Spem in alium,
The choir’s second CD comprises extracts from this series of concerts. Whilst enjoying international success, Discantus has not forgotten its Hungarian roots: it gives three free concerts every year in Hungary with the aim of bringing Renaissance and contemporary choral music to the widest possible audience. The choir’s third CD was completed in 2010.

THE SINGERS
Sopranos : Orsolya Szemkeő-Martin, Nikolett Hajós, Orsolya Ligeti, Aliz Ballabás
Altos : Bernadett Nagy, Katalin Beleznai
Counter-tenors : Péter Mészáros (direction), András Gombos
Tenors : Árpád Pálmai, Ferenc Sziklay-Pap
Basses : Krisztián Nemes, Zoltán May, Miklós Bodoczky

DISCOGRAPHY
Requiem (2011) - autoproduction
Tallis (2005) - autoproduction
Lux de lumine (2001) - autoproduction

http://www.discantus.hu