Ludwig Senfl

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Program: #05-05   Air Date: Jan 24, 2005

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All of the music on this week's program is by Ludwig Senfl and is from the recording Missa L'homme arme performed by The Suspicious Cheese Lords. You may contact the Lords at their web site: www.cheeselords.org.

Preservation of this program is made possible by a generous grant from George Cervantes.

The Suspicious Cheese Lords, a male a cappella ensemble, performs concerts and provides church service music for the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. Although specializing in music of the Middle Ages and Renaissance, their repertoire ranges from Gregorian chant to original composition.

Ludwig Senfl (ca. 1486-1543) was born in or near Basel, Switzerland. He sang in the court chapel of Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I before becoming the court composer. Later, he joined the chapel of Duke Wilhelm IV of Bavaria, where he remained for the rest of his life.

  • Te deum ("We praise you, God").
  • Miserere mei, Deus ("Have mercy on me, O God").
  • Virgo prudentissima/Fortuna desperata ("Virgin most prudent"/"Wretched fortune").
  • Quid vitam sine te ("What life do I still have without you?").
  • [L'homme arme ("The armed man is to be feared")].
  • Missa L'homme arme.

The Suspicious Cheese Lords’ name is derived from the title of a Thomas Tallis motet, Suscipe Quæso Domine. While "translating" the title, it was observed that Suscipe could be "suspicious," Quæso is close to the Spanish word queso meaning "cheese," and Domine is, of course, "Lord." Hence, the title of the motet was clearly "Suspicious Cheese Lord" — which in time became adopted as the group’s name. Although their name is humorous, the group appreciates the literal translation of Suscipe Quæso Domine, which is, "Take, I ask Lord." Suspiciously, the Cheese Lords have yet to perform this motet.

Composer Info

Ludwig Senfl (ca. 1486-1543)

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