Odhecaton make their debut on Arcana with the Missa Papae Marcelli by Palestrina, a recording sure to become a benchmark for this sacred masterwork of contrapuntal and formal perfection, exemplifying the important compositional techniques of its time.

For the first time in recording history, Odhecaton has recreated a hypothetical performance at the time of Pope Marcellus II. With an ensemble of about 20 singers, Odhecaton comes close to the formation of the pontifical chapel which, between 1510 and 1585, numbered between 20 and 36 singers and employing only adult male voices. The performance places the Missa Papae Marcelli in a liturgical context which emphasises its original function, reconstructing a hypothetical liturgy (the Easter Mass) with music as it might have been celebrated at the Sistine Chapel.

Until now the discography of the Missa Papae Marcelli has been dominated by British ensembles and choirs, inclined to emphasise the balanced purity of the vocal lines, the ethereal side of Palestrina. Odhecaton instead highlights the Mediterranean qualities of his vocal style.The name of the group is taken from the Harmonice Musices Odhecaton, the first printed book of polyphony published in 1501 by Ottaviano Petrucci in Venice.

Some of the finest Italian male voices, specialists in the performance of Renaissance and Baroque music sing in Odhecaton under the direction of Paolo Da Col. Since 1998 Odhecaton has been the recipient of some of the most prestigious discographic awards: “De Passione” (Josquin Desprez) was awarded the Diapason d’Or of the Year 2003, while the more recent “O gente brunette” (Ramee) took the Diapason d’Or of February 2010.

Recorded: September 2009, Chiesa parrocchiale S. Rocco, Miasino (Novara).