With one exception, the top UK choirs specialising in this kind of music have protestant connections. But one Roman Catholic cathedral has a choir that is right up at the top - that's Westminster. The effortless precision and beauty of these voices can teach any of their rivals a thing or two. Anyone who enjoys this kind of music can expect to have some Westminster CDs on the shelf.
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Exultate Deo - Westminster Cathedral Choir
Arguably the best wide-ranging sampler available for this period,
with the delightfully crisp and seducing sound of the Westminster
Cathedral Choir. It's like Who's Who of the period. Classic CD said 'For
anyone eager to sample varied music from the Golden Age of polyphony this
is a perfect disc' - and who are we to argue? -
New 6
June 2000
- Byrd - Ave verum corpus, Civitatis Sancti tui, Haec dies
- Tallis - Salvator mundi, O nata lux, In manus tuas
- Palestrina - Sicut cervus, Exultate Deo
- Philips - Ascendit Deus, Ave verum corpus
- Allegri - Miserere
- Parsons - Ave Maria
- Lotti - Crucifixus
- Viadana - Exultate justi
- Tye - Omnes gentes
- Gabrieli - Jubilate Deo
- Monteverdi - Cantate Domino
- Victoria - O quam gloriosum
A Ceremony of Carols - Westminster Cathedral Choir
Not everyone likes Britten's A Ceremony of Carols,
but if you do (and we do) it's an electrifying experience, from the haunting
fade in of the processional through the wonderfully spiky music in some
carols, suggestive of ice and snow, and the simple beauty of some others.
Makes the most of boys voices, and as usual Westminster do an excellent job.
There are samples on the Amazon.co.uk site, so if you don't know the piece,
have a listen. The CD includes for good measure Britten's delightful
Missa Brevis and one or two shorter numbers. Highly recommended. - 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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Unleashed Limited 2006
Last update 27 March 2006
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