John Sheppard - Cantate Mass: The Sixteen
Two discs and only 4 of 20 tracks are the Cantate mass - there's also a good range of motets including many of Sheppard's best known pieces, such as the Christmas motet Verbum caro factus est and the beautiful Libera nos. If you need convincing of Sheppard's genius, just listen to the Amen of Jesu salvator saeculi, redemptis - taken individually some of the lines sound positively 20th century in their modernity, and in combination it takes your breath away - it's hard not to say 'he can't do that!' - but he does. Perhaps the only criticism is that the Sixteen underplay the clashes so they aren't quite as shocking as they could be. Even so, probably the best introduction to Sheppard now on the market.
CDs by The Tallis Scholars
Known for their consistently sensitive interpretations, the Tallis Scholars under Peter Philips have produced some stunning recordings of Tudor and Elizabethan music. Arguably in the top two or three of the independent singing groups, the Scholars have had a few changes of personnel over the years, but can generally be relied on to deliver the business.
Miserere
The Allegri Miserere, probably the most famous piece of this period is usually coupled with other well known pieces. This recording has the advantage of including a couple of less-known, but stunning works (okay, the Palestrina is quite popular, but even so...). As usual, the Tallis Scholars give a polished performance. Altogether, it's a great recording, reasonably priced as it dates back to 1980.
Allegri - Miserere mei Deus, Mundy - Vox patris caelestis, Palestrina - Missa Papae Marcelli
The Three Masses - The Tallis Scholars.
If you want to condense Byrd's two greatest masterpieces onto a single CD this is probably the one to get, with both Ave Verum Corpus and the 4 part mass (along with the 3 part and the 5 part) on a single CD.
As usual, the Tallis Scholars give a faultless performance, and it would be churlish to suggest that they sound a little cold - it's still and excellent CD.
Complete English Anthems
The Tallis Scholars are on home ground in this excellent recording of the English anthems, which are sometimes overshadowed by Tallis' remarkable motets. Best know is If ye love me, a simple but beautifully written anthem, here in its original all-male format rather than the more commonly performed SATB arrangement. A great CD every Tallis lover should have.
If ye love me, Hear the voice and prayer, A new commandment, O Lord, give thy holy spirit, Purge me, O Lord, Verily, verily I say unto you, Remember not, O Lord God, Tunes for Archbishop Parker's psalter, Out from the deep, O Lord, in thee is all my trust
Christ rising again
Sacred Choral Works: Tallis Scholars
A good second CD to get if you like the sound of Sheppard, adding 6 new pieces to the Cantate Mass recording (though I admit there are two overlaps). Like the Sixteen, the Tallis Scholars have a good sound for Sheppard, though of course neither of them use the trebles that Sheppard was so fond of.
