The universities of Cambridge and Oxford both have a number of chapel choirs that rank with (and better most) cathedral choirs in their professionalism and style. Arguably the best of the lot is King's College, Cambridge. A British institution with their carol service on Christmas Eve, King's has a formidable reputation. While they may occasionally be bettered by the stunning accuracy of the Sixteen or the beautiful simplicity of Westminster Cathedral, King's are amongst the most reliable of the choirs recording today.
Many older recordings, directed by the great Sir David Willcocks, are still available, providing excellent quality at budget prices.
Byrd Motets in paired settings
A clever idea that works surprisingly well. Six Byrd motets (Latin
anthems) are paired with a motet that uses the same words by a different
composer. It's a great way to explore some of Byrd's contemporaries, while
discovering afresh just how brilliant Byrd was. You may have the Byrd Ave
Verum Corpus, his most famous (and possibly best) motet elsewhere, but it
bears having multiple copies. This is an old recording (1965), which means
that it's very good value for money, yet still entirely acceptable to the
listener. - New
16 February 2000
- Byrd - Haec dies, Ave verum Corpus, Miserere mei, O quam gloriosum, Iustorum animae, Tu es Petrus
- Palestrina - Haec Dies, Tu es Petrus
- Philips - Ave verum Corpus
- Gabrieli - Miserere mei
- Victoria - O quam gloriosum
- Lassus - Iustorum animae
Carols from King's
In the UK, Christmas music and the sublime chapel of King's
College, Cambridge are powerfully linked. The service of 9 lessons and
carols at King's on Christmas Eve is still the model for practically
everyone else, and the King's choir certainly knows how to deliver with
these very traditional carols. Inevitably starting with Once in Royal
David's City (another King's tradition), there are all the standards -
Hark the Herald, O Come All Ye Faithful, O Little Town and so on -
with a few slightly more sophisticated numbers - Adam Lay Ybounden,
Quem Pastores etc.. Great basic Christmas CD - but for a little more,
consider the two CD Noel - Christmas at King's. - New
22 November 2004
Noel - Christmas at King's
King's once more, but a total of 36 tracks to Carol's
from King's 26. Here it's the second CD that starts with the
inevitable Once in Royal David's City and once again all the
very traditional favourites are included, but there's a chance to expand
the "extras" options to include the likes of the Sussex Carol,
Balulalow and Tchaikovsky's impressive Crown of Roses, none of
which are on the single CD offering. Probably the best choice for a King's
Christmas. - New
22 November 2004
Looking for a particular type of music or a CD with a particular piece on? Drop us an e-mail and we'll try to help. Do let us know also if you can recommend on online resource and we'll add it to our lists.
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Last update 27 March 2006
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