Missa L'homme armé sexti toni

Missa L'homme armé sexti toni

Missa L'homme armé sexti toni is probably the later of two L'homme arme masses by Josquin des Prez - 'sexti toni' refers to the use of the 'sixth mode'. The theme is shared between all voices rather than being confined to the tenor, as in Josquin's earlier L'homme armé mass (Missa L'homme armé super voces musicales). The five sections of the mass contain several examples of compositional virtuosity, including examples of strict canon in the Sanctus/Osanna and simultaneous statements of the theme both forwards and retrograde in the final Agnus Dei.

References

Noble Jeremy (1972) sleeve notes to his recording with 'The Josquin Choir'