Notes and Editorial Reviews
This outstanding release comes on the heels of another fine recording whose program just happens to concern the same subject: music for Compline, the last of the daily monastic worship services ("offices") of the Catholic church. While that earlier disc from the Cambridge Singers should not be missed by any lover of English Renaissance choral music, this new one not only contains substantially different repertoire, but most importantly features absolutely ravishing performances by Stile Antico, one of Britain's newest ensembles and certainly among the most promising vocal groups to come along in the last 20 years. These well-matched and perfectly tuned young voices are a joy to hear, and
Read more
their singing style conveys a level of excitement in the rhythms and vibrancy in the harmonies that's unusual to hear and rare to experience on a recording.
The repertoire includes some of the finest polyphonic works of the 16th century, such as Sheppard's settings of Libera nos, In manus tuas, and In pace, Byrd's Miserere mihi, Domine, Tallis' own In pace and sublimely beautiful Miserere nostri. The nature of the Compline service calls for music and texts suitable for the hour before sleep, and each of the represented composers was a master of word setting and mood, perfectly capturing the essence of texts such as "Restore our bodies worn with toil/With the peace of the night", or "Preserve us, Lord, as we keep our watch, and guard us as we sleep", or "It is into your hands, Lord, that I entrust my spirit", and placing them in an appropriate context for prayer and thanksgiving.
And these singers certainly know the essence and context of each of these 17 works, showing an impressive ensemble technique and sensitivity, whether to ensuring textural clarity in the dense, slow-moving Miserere of Tallis or attending to the details of phrasing and unison singing in the brief chant passages. The program selection and ordering also shows considerable thought and good musical sense. The sound is exemplary--warm yet vibrant, focused, and presented from an ideal listening perspective. This is an extraordinary recording: In its debut on Harmonia Mundi Stile Antico has given choral music lovers everywhere a reason to celebrate what looks like the beginning of another beautiful relationship! [1/5/2007]
--David Vernier, ClassicsToday.com
This is a hybrid Super Audio CD playable on both regular and Super Audio CD players.
Read less
Works on This Recording
1.
Libera nos, salva nos no 1 by John Sheppard
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Stile Antico
Period: Renaissance
Written: 16th Century; England
Date of Recording: 04/2006
Venue: All Hallows Church, Gospel Oak, London
Length: 5 Minutes 35 Secs.
Language: Latin
Notes: This selection is part of a medley which also includes "Libera nos, salva nos no 2."
2.
Libera nos, salva nos no 2 by John Sheppard
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Stile Antico
Period: Renaissance
Written: 16th Century; England
Date of Recording: 04/2006
Venue: All Hallows Church, Gospel Oak, London
Length: 5 Minutes 35 Secs.
Language: Latin
Notes: This selection is part of a medley which also includes "Libera nos, salva nos no 1."
3.
Salva nos, Domine by Anonymous
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Stile Antico
Period: Renaissance
Date of Recording: 04/2006
Venue: All Hallows Church, Gospel Oak, London
Length: 0 Minutes 45 Secs.
Language: Latin
4.
Christe, qui lux es et dies/Precamur by William Byrd
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Stile Antico
5.
In pace in idipsum by John Sheppard
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Stile Antico
Period: Renaissance
Written: 16th Century; England
Date of Recording: 04/2006
Venue: All Hallows Church, Gospel Oak, London
Length: 5 Minutes 29 Secs.
Language: Latin
6.
In manus tuas by Thomas Tallis
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Stile Antico
Period: Renaissance
Written: after 1559; England
Date of Recording: 04/2006
Venue: All Hallows Church, Gospel Oak, London
Length: 2 Minutes 42 Secs.
Language: Latin
7.
Jesu salvator saeculi, verbum by John Sheppard
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Stile Antico
Period: Renaissance
Written: 16th Century; England
Date of Recording: 04/2006
Venue: All Hallows Church, Gospel Oak, London
Length: 5 Minutes 38 Secs.
Language: Latin
8.
Miserere nostri by Thomas Tallis
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Stile Antico
Period: Renaissance
Written: after 1559; England
Date of Recording: 04/2006
Venue: All Hallows Church, Gospel Oak, London
Length: 3 Minutes 12 Secs.
Language: Latin
9.
Miserere mihi, Domine by William Byrd
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Stile Antico
Period: Renaissance
Written: by 1575; England
Date of Recording: 04/2006
Venue: All Hallows Church, Gospel Oak, London
Length: 2 Minutes 43 Secs.
Language: Latin
10.
In pace in idipsum by Thomas Tallis
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Stile Antico
Period: Renaissance
Written: 16th Century; England
Date of Recording: 04/2006
Venue: All Hallows Church, Gospel Oak, London
Length: 5 Minutes 48 Secs.
Language: Latin
11.
Christe qui lux es by Robert White
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Stile Antico
Period: Renaissance
Written: 16th Century; England
Date of Recording: 04/2006
Venue: All Hallows Church, Gospel Oak, London
Length: 5 Minutes 55 Secs.
Language: Latin
12.
Christe qui lux es by William Byrd
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Stile Antico
Period: Renaissance
Written: England
Date of Recording: 04/2006
Venue: All Hallows Church, Gospel Oak, London
Length: 3 Minutes 49 Secs.
Language: Latin
13.
In manus tuas Domine no 1 by John Sheppard
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Stile Antico
Period: Renaissance
Written: 16th Century; England
Date of Recording: 04/2006
Venue: All Hallows Church, Gospel Oak, London
Length: 3 Minutes 18 Secs.
Language: Latin
14.
MEDLEY In manus tuas Domine no 2/In manus tuas Domine no 3 by John Sheppard
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Stile Antico
Period: Renaissance
Written: 16th Century; England
Date of Recording: 04/2006
Venue: All Hallows Church, Gospel Oak, London
Length: 3 Minutes 18 Secs.
Notes: This selection is a medley which includes "In manus tuas Domine no 2" by John Sheppard (1515 - 1558) and "In manus tuas Domine no 3" by John Sheppard (1515 - 1558).
15.
Miserere mihi, Domine by Anonymous
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Stile Antico
Period: Medieval
Date of Recording: 04/2006
Venue: All Hallows Church, Gospel Oak, London
Length: 0 Minutes 30 Secs.
Language: Latin
16.
Veni Domine by Anonymous
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Stile Antico
Date of Recording: 04/2006
Venue: All Hallows Church, Gospel Oak, London
Length: 0 Minutes 36 Secs.
Language: Latin
17.
Nunc dimittis by William Byrd
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Stile Antico
Period: Renaissance
Written: England
Date of Recording: 04/2006
Venue: All Hallows Church, Gospel Oak, London
Length: 7 Minutes 2 Secs.
Language: Latin
18.
Te lucis ante terminum by Thomas Tallis
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Stile Antico
Period: Renaissance
Written: 16th Century; England
Date of Recording: 04/2006
Venue: All Hallows Church, Gospel Oak, London
Length: 2 Minutes 56 Secs.
Language: Latin
19.
Gaude, virgo mater Christi by Hugh Aston
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Stile Antico
Period: Renaissance
Written: 16th Century; England
Date of Recording: 04/2006
Venue: All Hallows Church, Gospel Oak, London
Length: 14 Minutes 32 Secs.
Language: Latin
Customer Reviews
Be the first to review this title
Review This Title
