Josquin Des Prez: Magnificat / Missa L'Ami Baudechon / Credo / Ockeghem, J.: Credo (The Early Josquin)

Early music choir refers to choral ensembles dedicated to Medieval, Renaissance, and early Baroque repertoire, typically performed with historically informed performance (HIP) practices. The sound emphasizes blended, straight-tone singing, clear diction, and modal or early tonal harmonies, often at a moderate, tactus-led pulse. Repertoires include Mass cycles, motets, hymns, anthems, Magnificats, and madrigals by composers such as Josquin, Palestrina, Tallis, Byrd, Victoria, and Monteverdi. Ensembles range from one-voice-per-part consorts to chamber choirs, singing a cappella or with period instruments (organ/positive, cornetts, sackbuts, viols, dulcians). Editorial choices—such as musica ficta accidentals, text underlay, meantone/unequal temperaments, and historically appropriate pronunciation—are integral to the idiom.