Heinrich Isaac
Gustate et videte

The Franco-Flemish composer Heinrich Isaac (c.1450–1517) was born at a time and place that boasted many opportunities for excellent music education. Isaac served as a court musician in Germany, Italy, Austria, and other parts of central Europe. The last two decades of his life were spent in service of Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I. Isaac’s relationship with the Hapsburg court resulted in his having a great influence on the development of music in Germany. The rich polyphonic style pioneered by Isaac and his Franco-Flemish contemporaries (including Josquin Des Prez) laid the foundations for the magnificent German music of the Baroque period and beyond.

Isaac wrote dozens of settings of the Ordinary of the Mass (Kyrie, Gloria, Sanctus, etc.), but is best-known for his settings of the Propers of the Mass (Introit, Offertory, etc.). His Choralis Constantinus is a collection of over 375 Gregorian chant-based motets setting texts for the Propers, such as that in Gustate et videte, which sets the Psalm verse used in the Offertory for the Eighth Sunday after Trinity: “O taste, and see, how gracious the Lord is: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” The harmonies in this setting may sound exotic to modern ears, as they employ musical scales that go beyond simple “major “and “minor.”

Our choir has sing this work a few times in the past; other than the plainchant we sing regularly, it is one of the oldest works in our repertoire. Gustate et videte, is sung here by the Giltspur Singers, conducted by Christopher Maxim.