senior lecturer at King's College, London, died of a massive cerebral hemorrhage during the early morning hours of October 28, 2014. An academic who inspired many students to successful careers in the music profession, he also played a central role in church music as the Director of Music at St. Mary's, Bourne Street. Familiar to many in the greater Portland area for his valuable twelve-year contribution to the William Byrd Festival, David will be missed both professionally and personally; we have lost not only a consummate scholar and musician, but a delightful and dear friend.

The Guardian, in noting his passing, observed that David “combined musicology with the highest standards of choir training, organ playing, record producing and teaching.” After a brief biography and list of his impressible achievements, the Telegraph added that “throughout his career Trendell had a far reaching influence on students and church musicians alike. He was a bright and engaging colleague, an immensely generous teacher, an exuberant raconteur, a true bon vivant and a selfless companion . . .” We count ourselves most fortunate to have been among those blessed by his influence.

CANTORES' MOST RECENT CD RELEASE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE ONLINE:

GIOVANNI PIERLUIGI DA PALESTRINA
MISSA BREVIS AND STABAT MATER

JACOBUS DE KERLE
MISSA REGINA CAELI

CANTORES IN ECCLESIA
BLAKE APPLEGATE

Cantores in Ecclesia's most recent release (pictured above) brings together settings of the Latin Mass by two Renaissance composers. They were exact contemporaries, and both were famous in their own lifetime, although posterity has treated them quite differently. Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (1525-94) is still a familiar name to modern singers, while Jacobus de Kerle (1531-91) has been all but forgotten. These two men were both dedicated to composing music for the Catholic Church in an era when its musical foundations (and the foundations of its very existence) were in peril. This was a time of sweeping reforms, debated for twenty arduous years during the Council of Trent. The goal was to strip off the excesses and corruptions of past centuries, returning to an atmosphere of simplicity, austerity, and holiness. Needless to say, this had vast implications for what was sung and played in church. Kerle and Palestrina were two composers who found themselves at the center of the fray. (Except taken from the CD booklet music notes, written by Dr. Kerry McCarthy.)

To read David Stabler's December, 2013 review of Cantores' CD, which was featured as a selection for the Oregonian's "Top Gifts for Music Lovers: A&E Gift Guide of 2013," please click HERE.

CDs ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE ONLINE AT:

cdbaby: http://cdbaby.com/cd/cantoresinecclesia

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/palestrina-missa-brevis-stabat/id776424068

Or by calling 503-295-2811. Copies can also be purchased at the receptions directly following the 7:30 P.M. Saturday Vigil Masses at St. Stephen's.