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 Westminster Cathedral Choir
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.
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?
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.
