Cry Holy

Editorial Reviews
Album Description
This Grammy-nominated, Gold selling group continues to build on the momentum of their 2001 release, 'Resonate'. 'Cry Holy' shows why this group defines the term modern worship. INO. 2003.

Tracks:

Spem In Alium
Sancte Deus
Salvator Mundi, Salva Nos I
Salvator Mundi, Salva Nos II
Gaude Gloriosa
Miserere Nostri
Loquebantur Variis Linguis
If Ye Love Me
Hear The Voice And Prayer
A New Commandment
O Lord, Give Thy Holy Spirit
Purge Me, O Lord
Verily, Verily I Say Unto You
Remember Not, O Lord God
Tunes For Archbishop Parker's Psalter
O Lord, In Thee Is All My Trust
Christ Rising Again
Blessed Are Those That Be Undefiled

Tracks:

Lamentations Of Jeremiah I
Lamentations Of Jeremiah II
Absterge Domine
O Sacrum Convivium
In Manus Tuas
Salve Intemerata
Magnificat For 4 Voices
Ave, Dei Patris Filia

Customer Reviews:

Impeccable English Style.......2007-07-13

If you favor blend, balance, pitch, and all the other parameters of the English traditional choral style, you'll be very impressed with the Tallis Scholars' refined presentation. the music speaks for itself.

The Tallis Scholars do their namesake proud.......2006-07-27

In the last couple of years, the Tallis Scholars have been compiling their sizeable recording output into attractive two-disc editions. Here, they've collected a large number of their interpretations of their namesake, Thomas Tallis. Tallis (c. 1505-1585) is, of course, one of the giants of Renaissance music, and he was certainly the greatest English composer of liturgical music between John Dunstable and William Byrd. I personally consider him the second-greatest Renaissance composer after Palestrina, but I'm not dogmatic about it. I love the music of Josquin, Victoria, and Byrd almost as much. Let's just say that, if you're interested in immersing yourself in the work of a single Renaissance composer, you can't do much better than Tallis.

These recordings were made 1985-1998, and they all sound great. Included in this collection are most of Tallis best and best-known works: the two Lamentations of Jeremiah, O Sacrum Convivium, Gaude Gloriosa, Tunes for Archbishop Parker's Psalter (which contains the theme that inspired Ralph Vaughan Williams' famous Fantasia), and the incredible 40-part motet Spem In Alium (which is one of the supreme masterpieces of the 16th century). Unfortunately, there are some notable absences, such as the Tallis Scholars' own recording of O Nata Lux. The Mass for 4 Voices, certainly one of Tallis' major works, is also nowhere to be found. Of course, there's only so much music that will fit onto two CDs, but it's still a shame that they couldn't fit at least one of Tallis' masses. Nevertheless, the music that's here is beautiful and powerful.

The Tallis Scholars themselves need no introduction. They're one of the most famous groups specializing in Renaissance music. It needs to be said, however, that if you're looking for "authentic" recordings (that is, recordings that approximate what the music originally sounded like in the 16th century), you might want to look elsewhere. The Tallis Scholars use female singers instead of boys or (ahem!) castrati (though it's doubtful that Tallis would have used or written for castrati himself). And one could complain that these recordings use too many singers for some of the smaller pieces or that the sopranos overpower some of the larger ones (like Spem In Alium). I'm neither an enthusiast nor an opponent of the authentic-performance movement; since we're listening to recorded music anyway, these issues strike me as moot. The Tallis Scholars are experienced and accomplished singers, and they achieve their primary goal: to provide superlative-sounding recordings of important early choral compositions. If you're looking for a fine compilation of Tallis' music or an excellent introduction to Renaissance music, this is it.

Beyond Chant: Mysteries Of The Renaissance

Average customer rating:

Great literature... but thats about it
Essential listening.
Captivating!
Lofty music
Slow down Maestro !

Beyond Chant: Mysteries Of The Renaissance

Manufacturer: Delos Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

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Hymns | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Motets | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Psalms | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Voices Of Ascension: From Chant To Renaissance
The Greatest Choral Music of Palestrina: Prince of Music
Mysteries Beyond: Songs and Chants in Praise of Mary
Duruflé: Requiem Op.9/Messe Cum Jubilo,Op.11
Josquin Desprez: Motets & Chansons

ASIN: B0000006ZN
Release Date: 1994-05-23

Tracks:

Sicut Cervus
Ave Maria
Justorum Animae
Jesu Rex admirabilis
Exultate Deo
Exultate Justi
Jesu,Dulcis Memoria
Ave Verum Corpus
Psalm 90
Psalm 96
Hodie Christus Natus Est
O Maria Virgo Pia
Tu Pauperum Refugium
O Sacrum Convivium
If Ye Love Me,Keep My Commandments
Hosanna To The Son Of David
O Quam Gloriosum
Selig sind die Toten
Heu Nos Miseros
Exaltabo Te
O Sing Joyfully
O Magnum Mysterium
Laudate Nomen
Cantate Domino

Amazon.com

Go right to the first track and prepare for one of the most masterful and stylish performances of Palestrina that you'll ever hear. It's not flashy music nor is the singing especially virtuosic, but the unified phrasing, ideal balance among sections, and overall ensemble technique is impressive, and Palestrina's little motet simply opens and displays itself like a beautiful flower. The rest of the program, which includes a variety of beautiful flowers from composers such as Josquin, Sweelinck, and Tallis, maintains the same standard. Anyone looking for an introduction to Renaissance sacred choral music will find much here to encourage further exploration--standards like Byrd's "Ave verum corpus" and Victoria's "O magnum mysterium"-- and lesser known tiny masterpieces such as Victoria's "Jesu, dulcis memoria." The Voices of Ascension ranks with the world's finest choirs, and this recording reflects both the highest standard of choral singing and the highest standard of choral composition during the Renaissance. --David Vernier

Customer Reviews:

Great literature... but thats about it.......2007-06-17

This cd was mildly dissapointing, to say the least. The literature is fantastic. Some of the greats are featured on here with some of their best works. No doubt a great taste of the Renaissance, especially for someone new to it. However, I'm sorry to say that the performance is second-rate, at best. Dennis Keene apparently is either unaware, or just simply understudied when it comes to the Renaissance. He shows an incredible lack of messa di voce, which was what drove the counterpoint of the Renaissance. His interpretations rob this music of its deeply personal purpose. I would suggest the Hilliard Ensemble over any ensemble for Renaissance literature, and find it dissapointing that so many people praise such emotionless, understudied Renaissance ensembels such as the Voices of Ascension, the Tallis Scholars, and the Oxford Camerata, just to name a few. Very good literature... But always pick the Hilliard Ensemble or Anthony Rooley's Consort of Musike when you have the option. It seems like Paul Hillier and Anthony Rooley are the only two true Renaissance scholars currently conducting ensembles.

Essential listening........2007-03-05

This was my first CD of Renaissance choral music, as it undoubtably has been for a great many people. It offers the best possible introduction to the genre for 2 main reasons: 1. No other CD of Renaissance choral music contains such a varied cross-section of early to late Renaissance sacred music styles. 2. The performance and recording quality are fabulous.

Keene uses a variety of different voicings and numbers of singers according to the needs of each particular piece, sometimes with only 2 on a part. The ensemble heard on this recording is a select professional core of The Voices Of Ascension, one of the best choral groups in the country. The voices are all very rich and resonant, and the intonation through the entire CD is unquestionably on par with the best in the world. The singing is, for the most part, completelly vibratoless and extremely smooth, which creates a gorgeous purity that allows this music to shine. However, it does become strident at times, which may put off some choral conductors who are strongly against straight-tone singing.

Of particularly high quality and beauty are the Viadana "Exultate Justi", Byrd's "Ave Verum Corpus", Tallis' "O Sacrum Convivium", and the Victoria and Sweelinck pieces. Another extraordinary track is Leonardo Leo's "Heu Nos Miseros", a late Baroque piece included because of its influence from earlier styles. It is a 9 part double choir piece full of extravigant dissonances and emotion, performed breathtakingly.

Captivating!.......2006-04-12

I was christened as a choral music fan once, as a college student, I heard the music of the Cambridge Singers. Inundated with classical music for years, how could I never have heard such music?! It was as if my musical senses were born anew: for it was with the same awe as a child encountering the world for the first time, that I discovered this novel and fascinating world of a cappella choral music. There were landmark discoveries along the way: Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge; Concordia Choir; St. Olaf Choir; the Dale Warland Singers; the Kansas City Chorale; Kantorei; the West Coast Mennonite Chamber Singers...and (as you expected!) I must end with the Voices of Ascension. The clarity of their pure voices can only be paralleled by the Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge. Chant haters, do not avoid this CD - you will find no chants here! Chants hold absolutely NO intrigue for me and I cannot endure listening to them for long periods of time. By contrast, this music, aptly named "Beyond Chant," truly does uncover hidden musical treasures of the Renaissance for those who would ordinarily avoid such music. The intricately woven a cappella harmonies are captivating and satisfying. I highly recommend this CD to all choral music fans.

Lofty music.......2005-10-14

Some of the earliest pieces of Christian music are the various kinds of chant. These hearken back to synagogue singing; there were various kinds of chant, including Gregorian, Old Roman, Mozarabic, Cistercian and Anglican chant. These tend toward the monophonic, singing with a single 'tune' or lone. They are generally without regular beats or set meters. However, in the Renaissance, monophonic chant grew into a polyphonic form, and this is one of the most glorious eras of music. (My shelves at home are filled with CDs of this sort.) Composers in this era include many represented on this disc - Palestrina, Desprez, Victoria, Lassus, Byrd, Gibbons and Tallis were some of the leading lights of the time. Lesser known but still glorious include Tye, Viadana, Sweelinck, Hassler, Batten and Schutz.

One of the interesting features of this disc is that it includes three pieces by Sweelinck, two psalm settings and 'Hodie Christus Natus Est'. (Sweelinck is very under-represented in recording and performance today). Some pieces are very well known - Byrd's 'Ave Verum Corpus' is perhaps one of the most familiar pieces from this period, as is Palestrina's 'Exultate Deo'. This is a collection that draws from the breadth of the Western Christian tradition of music from this time, with composers from Britain, Italy, the Netherlands, France, Germany, and Spain.

The composers here wrote liturgical music for Masses and other worship services, as well as other pieces - motets and other kinds of new music. This disc represents music that is two or three steps removed from plainsong and basic forms of chant - some are quite a bit distant. Viadana's composition for 'Exultate Justi', for example, was actually composed later, and despite being done in a more Renaissance style, shows decided influences of the Baroque (this might also be part of the performance of the Voices of the Ascension that gives this impression).

The Voices of Ascension, under the direction of Dennis Keene, grew out of the choir of the Church of the Ascension in New York City. Many of the singers are active soloists in addition to being part of this group (whose numbers vary, but often around 40). Keene is a conductor, organist and teacher (not an uncommon combination). Trained at Juilliard, he has led the Voices of Ascension through many outstanding recordings and performances.

This is a performance that is definitely uplifting, and a good collection of music in its breadth to introduce the glories of Renaissance polyphony to those who with little exposure to it. The recording quality is very good, and the choir is quite full and well suited for the music. Some have commented upon the tempo, but this was not a concern for me, and did not stand out as unusual or a problem upon listening (indeed, there were a few points at which I might wish for it to be a bit faster, rather than slower).

A collection that soars!

Slow down Maestro !.......2004-01-04

Another reviewer writing about another album by Dennis Keene wrote:

"Yet the performance is not the slowly flowing honey usually served up by, say, the Tallis Scholars (as good as that is). Particularly in the Gloria and Credo of the Mass, Dennis Keene deliberately de-emphasizes the rise and fall of the different voices' lines in favor of a more naturally speech-like declamation of the long Latin texts. This means a surprisingly fast tempo--and some rhythmic spring and syncopation one might not expect in Palestrina. Some (not all) of the motets get a similar treatment: it works well in joyous pieces like the Pentecost motet Dum complerentur, but listeners might miss that melodic rise and fall in some of the slower works. The singers of Voices of Ascension are quite skillful, and the slight edge in their tone helps make the different melodies unusually audible. Very worthwhile, but not your father's Palestrina."

As a matter of fact, I used to like this album quite much although it was certainly not my favorite. That was until I listened to Robert shaw's "O Magnum Mysterium", which is amedley of Renaissance, negro spiritual, Russian and Western contemporary religious music. I was struck by Shaw's profoundly spiritual interpretation of the pieces by Victoria and Tallis that are also recorded on "Beyond Chant".

From then on I could no longer listen to this cd without feeling feeling increasingly dissatisfied. I tried to find a precise reason and not being a music specialist I was quite at a loss until I found the review above. Maybe the quick tempo is the key to my dislike.

I definitely feel that Dennis Keene and his singers do not have the depth of the Robert Shaw Festival Singers although the booklet accompanying the cd claims that the audience was spellbound by their performance, which took place in a cathedral in New York.

You may have a more gratifying experience if you buy a cd by the Tallis Scholars, Robert Shaw ("O Magnum Mysterium"), Pomerium(see their wonderful "Book of Hours") or even by the French countertenors and baritones of the Organum Ensemble ("Missa Pange Lingua").

Cry Holy
Average customer rating:

glad we got it

Heart of Worship

One of the BEST worship albums out there!!

Great CD! Highly recommended!

Sweet communion with God

Cry Holy
Sonicflood
Manufacturer: Integrity Media
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

This Generation

Resonate

SonicPraise

SonicFlood

Saturate

ASIN: B00008DKAX
Release Date: 2003-03-11

Tracks:

Cry Holy
(You Are My Refuge) Shelter
Everyday
Here I Am To Worship
Unconditional
Famous One
Rushing In
God Is Great
I Will Exalt The One
Satisfied
Love Of My Life
Everything To Me
I Will

Album Description

This Grammy-nominated, Gold selling group continues to build on the momentum of their 2001 release, 'Resonate'. 'Cry Holy' shows why this group defines the term modern worship. INO. 2003.

Customer Reviews:

glad we got it.......2005-10-29

Im more of a rock music person but sometimes you need easy going contemporary music. good music and sound equalization. I like masculine vocals and he sounds kind of wimpy otherwise I'd give it 4 stars but I respect his fortitude to write christian lyrics unlike many christian bands with crossover lyrics. Ive heard the newer "this generation" title and will buy it.

Heart of Worship.......2005-08-31

First time I heard SonicFlood, I had to buy their album Cry Holy. They are WONDERFULL. I like Heart of Worship, it brings you back to the altar. I would love to see them in concert. They have a fan for life.

One of the BEST worship albums out there!!.......2004-08-02

I have to tell you, I've never heard Sonicflood's music before until I heard 'Cry Holy' on the radio. I fell in love with it. Then I went to the store, found their album and read the title's on the back of the cd. I loved all the titles so I figured I'd buy it. Well, after hearing the album all the way through the first thing that came to my mind is that these songs were just the words and feelings I have for God. These songs are love songs that we would love to sing to Him. To be honest, this album helped me a lot when I was going through a ruff time in my life. It was a constant reminder of God's love for us and it helped me lean on Him through it all. My favorite's are "I will exalt the one", "Satisfied", "Shelter", "Love of my life", and "God is great". But I do love ALL these songs. I don't know about anyone else who has listened to this album and worshipped with it but, I really felt God's spirit in these songs. Sometimes it's hard to find the words of love to express to God. These songs hit the mark. I HIGHLY recommend this album. You won't be disappointed :)

Great CD! Highly recommended!.......2004-07-10

I got this CD for the song "God is Great". I was deciding between this CD and the Hillsong CD (which also contains a version of that song) and I am glad I chose this one!

I do not have any other Sonicflood CDs so I cannot compare, but there are tons of great songs on this CD, "Cry Holy", "Everyday", "Unconditional", "Rushing In", "I Will Exalt The One", "Satisfied" and "God is Great" are my favorites. I like the Chris Tomlin version of Here I Am to Worship better ... but the version on this CD is still pretty good.

Overall I was really happy with this CD, and am now going to have to (eventually) get the other Sonicflood CDs too :)

Sweet communion with God.......2004-05-31

I bought Sonicflood's debut album back when it was the only Sonicflood album out, and liked it okay, but it was never one of my favorites. It was quite uneven, I thought, some good songs and some uninspiring songs.

For that reason, I guess, I wasn't inclined to get their subsequent albums. But I did end up getting "Cry Holy," albeit not with great expectations.

Boy was I surprised! What a difference from the first Sonicflood album! Immediately I liked this one much better! Upon looking at the credits, I discovered Jeff Deyo was gone, and in fact I've heard Jeff Deyo's first solo album, and I didn't like it at all, so as far as I'm concerned, it's just as well that Jeff Deyo left Sonicflood because I like better the direction the band has gone without him. By the way, I've now also heard Jeff Deyo's second album, and although it's a little better than his first album, I still don't care for it. There's a lot of energy there but I cannot relate to it worship-wise, not to mention the musical weaknesses of his albums.

From reading the reviews of others here, I've learned that all of the original members of Sonicflood have departed except for one. It seems some reviewers are perturbed that this band uses the name Sonicflood, when it's not the same band, and they forever miss Jeff Deyo. I suppose if you were a big Jeff Deyo fan, then you're better off buying his solo albums than buying this. As for saying this band does not live up to the name Sonicflood, I don't get it, because I like this far better than Sonicflood's debut. (I haven't heard any other albums besides the debut and this one.)

I like every song on this album. The music is beautiful, repeatedly leading me to a time of intimate communion with God. Song after song dwells on the greatness of God as well as his wonderful love.

Something that I find especially pleasing about this album is the guitar work. The guitars on here add such richness to the songs. There are only two songs on here I had heard before--"Here I Am To Worship" and "Famous One." On both of these, the beautiful guitar embellishments make them my favorite versions of these popular songs. The eloquent guitar sounds add to the worship experience, making beautiful music before our glorious God.

In my growing up days, people in church would find that a particular organ solo would enhance their worship experience. I was never much for organ; I liked electric guitar. These days I go to a church where the electric guitars are very strong and upfront, so I'm used to the ways in which the guitar can add to the beauty of worship. So many worship albums I get, the guitar is so much in the background that the album sounds wimpy and lacks character. This album shines above most worship albums because the guitars are not buried in the background but are a central contributor to the worship experience.

While the guitars on this Sonicflood album are not cruncher-killer, they are upfront and full of beauty. I feel as I worship while listening to this album that I am surrounded by opulent sounds of guitar floating up to the majestic God, or at other times in joyous communion with him, surrounded by beautiful sounds as if in a sonic garden.

There have been some complaints in other reviews about the singer's voice, calling it "whining" and displaying "little heart and emotion." I don't feel this way at all. I think the vocals are very fitting to the overall sound of the band. As I follow the words and engage in worship, I feel full of emotion. If the singing were bad or lacked emotion I would not feel that way.

I like every song on this album, but I would like to mention two highlights. The climax of the album is "God Is Great," which soars in elation and praising of God. "Rushing In" and "Love Of My Life" are two songs that are particularly sweet in their expression of communion with God, experiencing his love.

Tracks:

Praise, My Soul, The King of Heaven - Choir of King's College, Stephen Cleobury
Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation - Choir of King's College, Stephen Cleobury
All Glory, Laud and Honour - Choir of King's College, Stephen Cleobury
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross - Choir of King's College, Stephen Cleobury
Day of Resurrection - Choir of King's College, Stephen Cleobury
O God, Our Help in Ages Past - Choir of King's College, Stephen Cleobury
Dear Lord and Father of Mankind - Choir of King's College, Stephen Cleobury
Praise to the Holiest in the Height - Choir of King's College, Stephen Cleobury
Praise to the Lord - Choir of King's College, Stephen Cleobury
Church's One Foundation - Choir of King's College, Stephen Cleobury
Crown Him With Many Crowns - Choir of King's College, Stephen Cleobury
Love Divine, All Loves Excelling - Choir of King's College, Stephen Cleobury
Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty - Choir of King's College, Stephen Cleobury
Now Thank We All Our God - Choir of King's College, Stephen Cleobury
Abide with Me - Choir of King's College, Stephen Cleobury
O Praise Ye the Lord - Choir of King's College, Stephen Cleobury
Drop, Drop, Slow Tears - Choir of King's College, Sir David Willcocks
Glory Be to Jesus - Choir of King's College, Sir David Willcocks
There Is a Green Hill Far Away - Choir of King's College, Sir David Willcocks
According to Thy Gracious Word - Choir of King's College, Sir David Willcocks
Holy Father, Cheer Our Way - Choir of King's College, Sir David Willcocks
Glory to Thee, My God, This Night - Choir of King's College, Sir David Willcocks
Day Thou Gavest, Lord, Is Ended - Choir of King's College, Sir David Willcocks
Hark! A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding - Choir of King's College, Sir David Willcocks
On Jordan's Bank the Baptist's Cry - Choir of King's College, Sir David Willcocks

Tracks:

Onward, Christian Soldiers - Huddersfield Choral Society, Wyn Morris
Lord's My Shepherd - Huddersfield Choral Society, Wyn Morris
Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah - Huddersfield Choral Society, Wyn Morris
All People That on Earth Do Dwell - U.S.A.F. Protestant Chapel Choir, West Ruislap, England,
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel - U.S.A.F. Protestant Chapel Choir, West Ruislap, England,
Forty Days and Forty Nights - U.S.A.F. Protestant Chapel Choir, West Ruislap, England,
O Sacred Head, Now Wounded - U.S.A.F. Protestant Chapel Choir, West Ruislap, England,
Christ the Lord Is Risen Today - U.S.A.F. Protestant Chapel Choir, West Ruislap, England,
Head That Once Was Crown'd With Thorns - U.S.A.F. Protestant Chapel Choir, West Ruislap, England,
Rock of Ages - Choir of King's College, Maurice Vinden
Eternal Father, Strong to Save - Choir of King's College, Maurice Vinden
All Things Bright and Beautiful - Choir of Paisley Abbey, George McPhee
Be Thou My Vision - Choir of Paisley Abbey, George McPhee
Be Still, My Soul - Choir of Paisley Abbey, George McPhee
King of Love My Shepherd Is - Choir of Paisley Abbey, George McPhee
Let Us With a Gladsome Mind - Choir of Paisley Abbey, George McPhee
For All the Saints - Choir of Paisley Abbey, George McPhee
O Worship the King - Choir of Paisley Abbey, George McPhee
Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus - Choir of King's College, George Guest
Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence - Choir of King's College, George Guest
Spirit of Mercy, Truth, And Love - Choir of King's College, George Guest
Lead Us, Heavenly Father, Lead Us - Choir of King's College, George Guest
Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise - Choir of King's College, George Guest
Jesu, Lover of My Soul - Choir of King's College, George Guest
Jerusalem - Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Choir of King's College, ,

Album Details

Compiled Here Are Fifty of the Most Beloved Hymns Performed by Three of England's Most Distinguished Choirs. Every Selection Here is Sung in an Appropriately Dignified Manner and If You're Up for Over Two Hours of Consistently Well-rendered Quintessentially English Treatments of These Vernacular Favorites it Simply Doesn't Get Any Better Than This.

Customer Reviews:

Inspirational!.......2004-10-08

Majestic hymns sung with British accents. A great combination! I haven't noticed any objectionable sounds on my copy.

hymns we sang in church.......2003-02-16

i grew up in a traditional presbyterian church that had a pipe organ. i wanted a cd of many of the hymns that we sang in church sung by a choir and accompanied by a pipe organ. this cd fulfilled my wishes perfectly. the hymns are performed in a very straight-forward fashion with no show-boating or excess flourishes which is exactly what i wanted. this is not gospel music but what i refer to as liturgical music to indicate that it is religious music but not gospel music. i would give it 5 stars but there is a slight hiss. other than that the recording quality is very good.

Tallis: Lamentations of Jeremiah in 2; Spem

Average customer rating:

The perfect Tallis record
Sublime
Sublime

Tallis: Lamentations of Jeremiah in 2; Spem

Manufacturer: Hyperion UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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Motets | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000002ZN9
Release Date: 1993-11-16

Tracks:

O salutaris hostia
In ieiunio et fletu
Salvator mundi (I)
In manus tuas Domine
Salvator mundi (II)
The Lamentations of Jeremiah (I)
O sacrum convivium
O nata lux de lumine
Te lucis ante terminum
The Lamentations of Jeremiah (II)
Spem in alium

Amazon.com

This recording has a huge advantage over most of its rivals for the attention of Tallis listeners: the wonderful acoustics of Winchester Cathedral. In this magnificent space, the soaring lines and resplendent harmonies of Tallis's greatest masterpieces find sympathetic resonance, resulting in a heightened dramatic presence that takes the music beyond earthly confines. Of course, beyond the exceptional quality of the writing, credit must go to the phenomenal men and boys of Winchester Cathedral Choir. Where, even in England, does one find trebles who sing with more assuredness, musicality, and beauty of tone? With a repertoire including "In ieiunio et fletu," "Salvator mundi," "In manus tuas," "The Lamentations of Jeremiah," "O nata lux," and the unbelievable 40-part motet "Spem in alium," this is the Tallis disc to own if you're buying only one. --David Vernier

Customer Reviews:

The perfect Tallis record.......2000-04-30

Ultimately, this disc has two things going for it.

Firstly, it is a treasure trove of Tallis' finest Latin choral music, with gems great and small. Short pieces, such as "O Nata Lux" and the even tinier "Te lucis ante terminum," are given an exquisite rendering alongside larger motets (the opening track, "O salutaris hostia," is particularly ravishing). The programme includes both parts of the "Lamentations" for men's voices, which makes for especially good listening, but the best is saved until last: "Spem in alium," one of the most mammoth choral compositions ever written, is breathtakingly surveyed by the Cathedral Choir, the Winchester College Quiristers and the Vocal Arts Chorus.

Secondly, as recordings go, there could not be a much better one than this for demonstrating the excellence achieved by the Winchester Cathedral Choir under David Hill over the past twelve years. Listening to them as they sing this music in the generous acoustics of the ancient cathedral, one cannot help but feel that this is the best way in which to offer this music, when all's said and done. Whilst such forces as The Sixteen and The Cardinall's Musick have done much outstanding work to spread this type of music abroad through their concert performances, it is important to remember that it was all written for worship, not for concerts, and it is only fitting that a cathedral choir should broadcast it in this way.

As an act of worship, this disc is sublime. As a rendering of Tallis' music, it is superior. Worth getting and listening to over and over again.

Sublime.......1998-09-26

I purchased this CD with only a general awareness of Tallis. It is true that the voices and acoustics of this recording are exceptional, working delicately with the music -- never overbearing. When listening to this recording, I often wonder if the religious expression of an earlier age proposed answers that we have lost in the current day.

Sublime.......1998-09-26

Average customer rating:

great, great!!!
ALL THE MUSIC YOU EVER NEED!!

Sacred Music Complete
Purcell , King , and Kings Consort
Manufacturer: Hyperion UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

The Complete Odes and Welcome Songs of Henry Purcell / King's Consort
Complete Secular Songs (3cd)

ASIN: B00006RHQJ
Release Date: 2002-12-10

Customer Reviews:

great, great!!!.......2006-12-05

This is the way ,I think, Purcell should sound. No pomp and surcomstance but only great music.

ALL THE MUSIC YOU EVER NEED!!.......2003-05-23

This boxed set is by far one of the best purchases I have ever made. As a Purcell freak, this hits every button I have. The cast of characters include the inequitable Robert King, New College Choir, Bowman, and a host of other venerable persons. Likewise the attention to period performance of these works makes it an essential addition to the library of any serious anglophile/Musicologist etc. Now if only the Britten Realizations of all Purcell's songs could be recorded alongside the originals! You will Love this set!

Tallis: Spem in alium; Missa Salve intemerata [Hybrid SACD]

Average customer rating:

come for Spem in Alium, stay for Salve Intermata
Superior Performance and Ornery Acoustics

Tallis: Spem in alium; Missa Salve intemerata [Hybrid SACD]

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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Renaissance (c.1450-1600) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade; Stravinsky: Song of the Nightingale [Hybrid SACD]
Handel: Messiah [Hybrid SACD]
Murray Perahia Plays Bach [SACD]
Dvorák's New World Symphony and Other Orchestral Masterworks [Hybrid SACD]
The Penguin Guide to Compact Discs and DVDs 2005/06 Edition: The Key Classical Recordings on CD, DVD and SACD, 30th Anniversary Edition (Penguin Guide to Compact Discs and Dvds)

ASIN: B0009JMECY
Release Date: 2005-06-21

Customer Reviews:

come for Spem in Alium, stay for Salve Intermata.......2006-05-23

I wasn't sure what to expect of this recording because, since Naxos is a 'budget' label, I admit I was slightly prejudiced against Jeremy Summerly & his Oxford Camerata. After listening to this version of Spem in Alium a few times I've found that this is my favourite one. I've got recordings by the King's College choir, Tallis Scholars & Huelgas Ensemble. I like this recording most because it has very strong trebles (ie not low in the mix), it's not miked too close, it has a slightly slower tempo than the others, and seems to have a stronger 'beat' than the other ones. It seems to almost 'pulsate' with activity, especially when all 40 voices are in. As if the Spem in alium isn't enough, the Salve Intermata (apparently written when Tallis was in his early 20s) is another 'extreme' piece, which is also very good, although for different reasons. Spem in Alium has a large number of singers; the Salve Intermata lasts about 23 minutes! In contrast with Spem in Alium it is for 5 voices & is very calm, slow & meditative. I'm not sure which is the highlight of this cd... The rest of the cd feels more like the Salve Intermata since the mass is based on the motet & the 3 motets at the end have a similar feel to the Salve. All in all a very good cd, and a nice surprise!

Superior Performance and Ornery Acoustics .......2005-07-06

If you love the "great" works of Tallis, those performed by Chapelle du Roi (on Signum CDs) could hardly be bettered. It is often difficult to sort out the lyrics and melodies of choral music recorded in a resonant space, but the engineers on Signum did it with their Tallis series, and the Chapelle du Roi know this music inside-out.

I do think these versions of the Missa Salve intemerata and Spem in alium by Oxford Camerata might have been equally satsfying had their engineer conquered the resonance of All Hallows Church.

In the Spem in alium, the verse, and even the melodic line, dissolve as the music soars -- then saturates the ears . Modest hifi systems may also reveal rolloff during the Spem in alium because the sound on the Naxos seems compressed at high volume. And that's a pity, because the Oxford Camerata perform this piece so beautifully.

Having said all this, I would buy this disc for its passionate performances. The Oxford Camerata are at the top of their game, and that will be enough for most listeners. At the Naxos price, buy it without delay, but if you really love these works, get the Signum versions too.