Gibbons: Choral and Organ Music
Gibbons is often better represented in the hymn book than in the serious music of a service - and this CD helps demonstrate why that's a shame. With a mix of verse and full anthems, plus both sets of Mag and Nunc, and a smattering of organ music it gives a good picture of Gibbons' church output. If you like the sound of madrigals, you'll like some of the church music, but there are also works in here to rival more heavy duty compositions - Out of the deep, for example. Both evening services are fun - the contemplative verse settings of the second service and the livelier short service.
CDs by The Sixteen
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!
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 - The Sixteen.
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.
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. 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.
