Along with the Tallis Scholars, Harry Christophers' group, The Sixteen rates amongst the top professional groups who are not attached to a religious establishment singing music of this period. Occasionally criticized for being rather clinical, The Sixteen's performances are frighteningly precise and beautifully sung. It is interesting to compare the women's voices here with the more traditional boys' sound of King's College or Westminster Cathedral - arguably the boys have a better tone, but the women better interpretation. You can only listen and decide.
An Eternal Harmony
An unusual collection, combining plainsong and Tudor music with a
modern piece (by James Macmillan). In fact, the Macmillan is probably the
most striking of the compositions, evoking the same sort of awed 'he can't do that!'
response for some of the harmonies that an early composer like Sheppard
does. Also includes Carver's 19 part motet, in itself a striking example
of bold composing, rivalling Tallis' 40 parter in some of its complexity.
A fascinating CD! -
New
21 January 2004
- Plainsong: Dum sacrum mysterium
- Credo from Mass 'Dum sacrum mysterium' - Robert Carver (c1487-1566)
- O bone Jesu - James Macmillan
- When David heard - Robert Ramsey (d1644)
- In monte Olivetti - Robert Ramsey (d1644)
- O vos omnes - Robert Ramsey (d1644)
- How are the mighty fall'n - Robert Ramsey (d1644)
- Salve regina - William Cornysh (d 1502)
- Ave Maria mater Dei - William Cornysh (d 1502)
- O bone Jesu a 19 - Robert Carver (c1487-1566)
 |
Western Wynde Mass
A good exploration of the range of Taverner's haunting music from
the aptly glorious scale of the antiphon O Splendor (such antiphons were
sung as part of extra devotions after the evening service of Compline) to
the setting of the morning canticle, the Te Deum. Particularly interesting
is the Western Wynde mass, named for the folk tune on which the mass is
based. This practice was common on the continent, but may have first
entered England with this piece. Either as a result of the popularity of
this mass or the tune, a number of Taverner's contemporaries and
successors wrote masses around the same theme. Glorious stuff. -
New 16
February 2000
- O Splendor Gloriae
- Te Deum
- Alleluia. Veni electa mea
- Mass 'The Western Wynde' - Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Benedictus, Agnus Dei
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.
Probably the best introduction to Sheppard now on the market. - New 14 March 2003
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Unleashed Limited 2006
Last update 27 March 2006
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