Claudio Merulo was one of a small number of Italian Renaissance composers who was instrumental in transforming the musical landscape of the 16th century. He was a hugely prolific writer of keyboard music, marking the change from vocal‐based forms to new genres written especially for the instrument. Additionally, he wrote sublime sacred music in the Venetian tradition of the High Renaissance, and his motets, which are intended for the Office, are remarkable for their clear and spacious lines alongside bold imitative counterpoint.

This is the fifth book of his motets, which reveal an innovative form and sophisticated linguistic freedom. The interplay of musical spaces and colours anticipate the concertato style of the rising Baroque period.

Mauro Marchetti, a prominent choral conductor in his native Italy, is the winner of several choral conducting prizes. Having studied at the prestigious Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in Rome, he has had an exciting career in conducting for over 20 years, specialising in both early and contemporary music. He directs the Modus Ensemble, a group of young Italian musicians whose repertoire also spans many musical periods, from Renaissance to contemporary. Since their formation in 2012 the group is proud to have been awarded third prize at the fourth Concorso Nazionale in Fermo, Italy. They are joined by a select group of specialist musicians performing on authentic instruments.

The complete sung texts in the original language are included in the booklet