Thomas_Tallis-William_Byrd_(Stile_Antico)--Heavenly_Harmonies-2008-i8

Section

MP3/FLAC

Group

i8

Size

108,89 MB

Files

20

Date

2009-01-12

NFO

      a r t i s t : Thomas Tallis-William Byrd (Stile Antico)
        t i t l e : Heavenly Harmonies
          d a t e : 2008
        l a b e l : Harmonia Mundi
	    c a t : HMU 807463
      s o u r c e : CDDA
        g e n r e : Classical
  r l s.  d a t e : Dec/2008
      t r a c k s : 20
    b i t r a t e : VBRkbps
          s i z e : 108,8 MB

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     It's not easy to conceive and successfully impose a
     concert-performance dynamic on the formal, square structures
     of Tallis' Psalm-tune settings, bringing an air of excitement
     to these essentially functional church pieces. In most
     circumstances these works merely sound, well, like formal and
     square hymns, albeit very well crafted with strong, sturdy
     melodies and occasionally interesting harmony. But if you've
     been paying attention to the choral music scene lately, you
     know to expect that Stile Antico--a conductorless British
     ensemble of 13 (or so) young singers--is more than capable of
     giving exciting new life to old music, and that's exactly what
     we get here. There's energy and vitality in the singing that
     gives unusual substance and power to these very short (most
     around one minute or less), text-centered settings.

     Of course, it was a very good programming idea to intersperse
     the brief Psalm-tunes with some of William Byrd's most
     substantial motets. Ne irascaris Domine, Infelix ego,
     Laetentur coeli, and Tribulationes civitatum stand among
     Byrd's greatest works--indeed, among the most valued treasures
     of choral music. As such, they are oft-performed and
     recorded--and not surprisingly Stile Antico's renditions join
     with the very best in the catalog. Although I'm not so much a
     fan of this ensemble's very slow tempo for Ne irascaris, these
     singers certainly have the control to generate and sustain the
     necessary momentum--and the beautifully-wrought ending (a
     trademark of this group!) negates all earlier reservations
     regarding tempo. Laetentur coeli (no holding back here!) is a
     highlight worthy of special mention--an example of both Stile
     Antico's remarkable ensemble balance and sensitive linear
     interplay and the exceptionally complementary sound that
     captures these details so clearly and vibrantly. Not to be
     missed!

     -- David Vernier, ClassicsToday.com
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      01-tomas tallis - third tune_ why fum'th in fight         [00:56]
      02-william byrd - cantiones sacrae i vigilate             [04:16]
      03-tomas tallis - fifth tune e'en like the hunted hind    [01:04]
      04-william byrd - cantiones sacrae i ne irascaris domine  [09:38]
      05-tomas tallis - second tune let god arise               [00:51]
      06-william byrd - cantiones sacrae ii exsurge domine      [04:30]
      07-tomas tallis - sixth tune expend, o lord               [01:10]
      08-william byrd - cantiones sacrae ii infelix ego         [16:04]
      09-tomas tallis - eighth tune god grant wtih grace        [01:35]
      10-william byrd - cantiones sacrae i laetentur coeli      [03:39]
      11-tomas tallis - first tune man blest no doubt           [01:11]
      12-william byrd - cantiones sacrae ii quis est homo       [07:13]
      13-tomas tallis - veni creator come holy ghost            [00:31]
      14-william byrd - mass propers for pentecost introit      [04:32]
      spiritus domini
      15-william byrd - mass propers for pentecost offertory    [02:08]
      confirma hoc deus
      16-william byrd - mass propers for pentecost communion    [01:43]
      factus est repente
      17-tomas tallis - seventh tune why brag'st in malice      [00:47]
      18-william byrd - cantiones sacrae i tribulationes        [10:27]
      civitatum
      19-tomas tallis - fourth tune o come in one to praise     [00:59]
      the lord
      20-william byrd - cantiones sacrae ii laudibus in sanctus [05:34]
                                                                -------
                                                                 78:48 min

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