Palestrina: Missa Papae Marcelli, Missa Aeterna
There's a wonderful legend, retold by (among others) Pfitzner's operaPalestrina, attached to the "Pope Marcellus" Mass: the Council of Trent, ground zero of the Counter Reformation, was about to ban all music but chant from the liturgy when Palestrina submitted this Mass, thereby changing the prelates' minds and saving church music.  The writing is beautiful enough to deserve such a story: cheerful yet devout, comprehensible but not simplistic, without the complexity and secular borrowings (very prevalent in the preceding decades) that so perturbed the Council.  TheMissa Papae Marcellihas been recorded by choirs fromWestminster Abbeyto theTallis Scholars, yet theOxford Cameratadoes itself proud: Jeremy Summerly's reading of the music is reverently sweet, yet he's not afraid to make a joyful noise when appropriate--and the various voices are unusually clear.  The equally radiantMissa Aeterna Christi Muneragets a similarly pleasing performance.  Amidst serious competition, Summerly's readings of these Masses are among the best available--and, at Naxos's superbudget price, definitely the best value.--Matthew Westphal