CD-Charts Position 1

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Mary and Elizabeth at Westminster Abbey

from: Hyperion

Release Date September 29, 2008

CD-Charts Position 2
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Crystal Tears - John Dowland and his contemporaries (Andreas Scholl/Concerto di Viole)

from: Harmonia Mundi

Release Date May 26, 2008
Delightful, exquisite. Some echo, but otherwise lovely sound. It took me a while to accept the countertenor sound as anything other than a good party trick. But I now love the sound as much as the output from any decent tenor, baritone, saoprano or mezzo.

There's been some criticism that Scholl might be overstylised for this material - but that is just Scholl's wonderful technique. If you want a more informal style, then try Sting's take on Dowland. Personally - I like both.

CD-Charts Position 3
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Masses for 4 and 5 Voices (Christophers, the Sixteen)

by: William Byrd

Release Date August 05, 2002
A truly enjoyable performance by The Sixteen. These 2 masses presented on these CD's are both moving and distinctively conducted by Harry Christophers. You must buy this if you are into Renaissance Masses especially with many Voices. You won't regret this!

CD-Charts Position 4
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Agnus Dei, Vols 1 & 2 [BOX SET]

from: Erato

Release Date February 14, 2000
Make sure you listen before you buy, and be sure these are the kind of performances you want. Because although other reviews rave about this, I remain unconvinced.

Mind you, these comments only apply to the first of the two CDs. I haven't heard the second and can't comment.

But I was taken aback by the interpretations on CD1, some of which sound positively Victorian - slushy, wobbly and tonally wooden. And there are some vocal infelicities that simply should not have got past the editing process.

Take the Mozart: even in the first two bars - just the instrumental intro - there's a slushy rit (the first of many!), a sudden accelerando and another rit just before the choral entry. Where does Mozart ask for ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 5
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Stile Antico - Music for Compline

from: Harmonia Mundi

Release Date February 05, 2007
One is somewhat spoilt for choice these days when it comes to recordings of specialist 'early music' vocal ensembles. In Britain alone, 'brand' names such as 'The Sixteen' and 'The Tallis Scholars', however different their respective approach, have become equally synonymous with excellence in ensemble, intonation, balance and blend. On this basis alone, one might be forgiven for mistaking this CD for another release from one of these fine, long-established choirs. However, this debut recording from 'Stile Antico' has something rather distinctive and individual to offer the listener. Working as a vocal consort without conductor, these are performances born out of an internal commitment and universal understanding within the group, together with ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 6
Average Rating:

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Byrd - Sacred Choral Works

from: Naxos

Release Date December 31, 1993
One is somewhat spoilt for choice these days when it comes to recordings of specialist 'early music' vocal ensembles. In Britain alone, 'brand' names such as 'The Sixteen' and 'The Tallis Scholars', however different their respective approach, have become equally synonymous with excellence in ensemble, intonation, balance and blend. On this basis alone, one might be forgiven for mistaking this CD for another release from one of these fine, long-established choirs. However, this debut recording from 'Stile Antico' has something rather distinctive and individual to offer the listener. Working as a vocal consort without conductor, these are performances born out of an internal commitment and universal understanding within the group, together with ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 7
Average Rating:

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Advent at St Paul's

from: Hyperion

Release Date September 01, 1997
One is somewhat spoilt for choice these days when it comes to recordings of specialist 'early music' vocal ensembles. In Britain alone, 'brand' names such as 'The Sixteen' and 'The Tallis Scholars', however different their respective approach, have become equally synonymous with excellence in ensemble, intonation, balance and blend. On this basis alone, one might be forgiven for mistaking this CD for another release from one of these fine, long-established choirs. However, this debut recording from 'Stile Antico' has something rather distinctive and individual to offer the listener. Working as a vocal consort without conductor, these are performances born out of an internal commitment and universal understanding within the group, together with ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 8
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Tallis - Spem in Alium

from: Coro

Release Date September 29, 2003
For most people, the star attraction of the disc will be Tallis' Spem in Alium. My favourites to date have been the impeccable but still powerful Tallis Scholars’ version on Gimmel (beautifully recorded) and, more recently, a magnificent, heart-stoppingly beautiful rendition by Magnificat on Linn (SACD and HDCD), also splendidly recorded. This new version has an edge on redbooks in that it is recorded in the round and in surround, in a beautifully balanced, hugely impressive MC recording. To my mind, the performance doesn't quite match the purity of the Tallis Scholars or the powerful beauty of Magnificat, but its pretty damned close, and the sound is a winner. I wouldn’t replace the Magnificat recording for anything, but this will stand ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 9
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Byrd - The Three Masses

from: Gimell

Release Date April 02, 2001
--William Byrd--
William Byrd was a composer of grace and power. A staunch Catholic in an increasingly Protestant country, Byrd maintained his church loyalties at high cost. However, as a recognised genius at liturgical music, he had powerful admirers and friends, perhaps including Queen Elizabeth herself. Producing musical settings to Latin texts in a new-regime English-dominated church environment took courage. However, Byrd persevered all his life to produce music that remains timeless while being firmly rooted in its time.

--Mass for Five Voices, Four Voices, Three Voices--
Each mass consists of five primary pieces: the Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus & Benedictus, and the Agnus Dei. The five-voice mass is probably the latest ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 10
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The Very Best of English Song

by: Various Artists

Release Date June 02, 2003
Understated, underrated.

Understated is one thing, underrated is another.

In fact, it's a masterly selection. Why doesn't it have more reviews? Why isn't it top of the pops? Oh, I see. Not good Enough for the Great British Public. Silly of me not to realise.

A rich range, containing Home and Away, Sea and Empire, war and love, history. Should be a compulsory part of the National Curriculum. Bet there's plenty of stuff they could ditch that covers the same ground [or less] much more boringly.

The music shows the man: one who knew his country and loved it.

I didn't know the English had so many good songs. I knew they had a few, but thought the Celts were the only ones in these islands to have ... Read More: