The ensemble, nicknamed the "Wolf Pack" because some of its members' names are similar to the Latin word "lupus," brings together numerous musicians. Among them are the cantor Alonso Lobo from Toledo, Duarte Lobo from Portugal, and the Lupo family, whose five members served the English Tudor and Stuart courts for generations. The composers Johannes Lupi and Lupus Hellinck, featured on this recording, died within only two years of each other and were active during the same period. Lupi was employed in Cambrai, while Hellinck lived in Bruges. While Lupi's surname derives from Leleu, Hellinck's first name is also known as Wulfaert.
Lupi resumed his career as a singer in Cambrai and, despite his young age and repeated criticism from the authorities, rose to the position of Kapellmeister there. Hellinck held the position of Succentor in Bruges and remained there for 18 years. Lupi was a versatile composer, yet categorizing his works is often difficult. His compositional style differs from that of Hellinck, whose music is characterized by longer note values and angular melodic lines.
Hellinck's oeuvre includes masses, motets, German chorales, and secular songs in several languages. He was open to Reformation movements. Among his best-known works is the "Missa Surrexit pastor bonus." Hellinck frequently adopted motifs from earlier composers and developed them into original structures with pronounced counterpoint.
Another important piece by Hellinck is the motet "Salve celeberrima virgo," which reflects his devotion to the Virgin Mary. Lupi's motets, such as "Quam pulchra es" and "Benedictus Dominus Deus Israel," exemplify his high level of compositional skill. His version of the "Te Deum" represents a rare, fully polyphonic arrangement of this hymn of praise, a feature that can be found repeatedly in his work.