In Dulci Jubilo: Music for the Christmas Season by Buxtehude and friends
Theatre of Voices / Paul Hillier

DACAPO 6.220661

This latest exploration of Buxtehude and his circle from Paul Hillier and the Theatre of Voices is a joyful, festive programme divided into four sections, The Annunciation & Advent, The Shepherds, the Nativity and New Year, Epiphany & Annunciation; each one containing a work by Buxtehude, at least one substantial motet by a related composer and an organ solo. It is recorded in the warm acoustic of Garnisonskirken, Copenhagen.

[...]  Lastly, a small masterpiece by Johann Christoph Bach (1642-1703), Merk auf, mein Herz for double choir. Listeners will know this from an intimate, meditative performance by Vox Lumis /Lionel Meunier (Ricercar – RIC 347). Here, however, Hillier offers a faster, more demonstrative and quick-witted reading. Listen out for the ox and ass, and the stunning setting of ‘zu ruhn in meines Herzens Schrein, daß nimmer ich vergesse dein.’ The execution of that last line (that I may never forget you) shows Hillier’s Midas touch.

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To read the full text of this article please visit www.gramophone.co.uk (December 2017)

Parle Qui Veut: Moralizing Songs of the Middle Ages

Parle Qui Veut: Moralizing Songs of the Middle Ages
Sollazzo Ensemble / dir. Anna Danilevskaia

LINN – CKD529

This has to be one of the most exciting and engaging releases of medieval song in recent years. The Sollazzo Ensemble offer a programme of French and Italian works drawing chiefly on Trecento composers from around Florence and their French counterparts. The moralizing theme allows for a great deal of variety from both known and anonymous composers to form a coherent and varied programme. This album forms part of the ensemble’s prize as winners of the 2015 York Early Music Artists Competition and is recorded with a warm clarity by LINN records in the National Centre for Early Music. 
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To read the full text of this article please visit www.gramophone.co.uk (December 2017)

Nicholas Ludford: Missa Dominica

Nicholas Ludford: Missa Dominica
Trinity Boys Choir / Handbell Choir Gotha / Lewis Brito-Babapulle, Organ / David Swinson

Rondeau – ROP8001

Ludford’s Lady Masses stand apart from his more widely recorded Festal masses for their alternatim settings and unusual 3-part scoring. For this recording, composer and musicologist Graham Lack has realised an organ part through faburden and extempore accompaniment techniques that allows Missa Dominica to be sung by boys and tenors. Alternate verses are sung to Sarum chant.

Trinity Boys Choir have an incredibly warm sound, and one is charmed by the beauty of their collective tone [...]

To read the full text of this article please visit www.gramophone.co.uk (December 2017) 

Edward Breen: Critic’s Choice 2017

Lucrezia Borgia's Daughter
Princess, Nun and Musician: Motets from a 16th century convent

Musica Secreta & Celestial Sirens 
Obsidian Records CD717

 
This album represents all that is trailblazing about early music: creative research and thrilling performances uniting sopranos and altos from different generations of leading British vocal ensembles. This passionate and, frankly, sensual vocal polyphony from the convent of Corpus Domini in Ferrara, home of Lucrezia Borgia’s daughter (1515–1575) is a revelation.

 

To read the full text of this article please visit www.gramophone.co.uk (December 2017)