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The Sacred Flame - Cambridge Singers   

I'll be honest, my mental image of the Cambridge Singers is of rather heavy handed singing, suitable for John Rutter's jolly carols, but not exactly competition for the Sixteen. However in this collection of Renaissance and Baroque they have proved they can do subtlety too. The Monteverdi pieces bounce along with just enough lightness. There's a wonderful range of the best music here. Gesualdo's O vos omnes, for example, is full of 'he can't do that!' moments - it's electrifying. Buxtehude's chunky and jubilant Magnificat adds a little light relief among the exquisite likes of Victoria and Josquin Desprez... and it runs through neatly through Schütz to the (relatively) trendy 'new' music of Mr Bach.

All in all a great collection.

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.