“Benedictus” from Missa Octavi Toni, arr. for recorder duet (various recorders possible)

from: O. de Lassus (1532-1594)

From Missa Octavi Toni. At original pitch for tenor and bass (or soprano and alto). Alternatively, a version for alto and tenor. In both cases the text is provided in case singing is in order (as it was for Simon & Garfunkel on their first album, somewhat loosely based on the Lassus—transposed more or less as in our alto-tenor version). All parts stay within the octave-and-a-6th range of Renaissance instruments (with no problem low notes) on which this number sounds very dolce. My own preference in soprano or alto is ones made by Jim Bartram, if you are lucky enough to have them.