Search - Gregorio Allegri, William Mundy, Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina :: Allegri: Miserere

A voice teacher and early music fan

George Peabody | Planet Earth | 02/03/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"THIS REISSUE AT HALF PRICE TOUCHES OUR VERY SOUL WITH ITS INCREDIBLE BEAUTY!



This recording by the Tallis Scholars under the direction of Peter Phillips is considered by many to be the finest performance of Allegri's "Miserere". This composition is quite simple in construction and much of it's impact relies on the conditions of performance, especially on the acoustic. And so the Tallis Scholars have used a reverberant building. It was recorded in Merton College Chapel,Oxford, and sets new standards for recording unaccompanied sacred music.



I would be remiss if I did not mention the wonderful moments created by the solo group in 'Miserere':Allison Stamp(treble), Jane Armstrong, Michael Chance, and Julian Walker. The sound of these voices raises one to the heights and projects such exquisite beauty. Allison Stamp's highest note as the melody peaks is uncanningly beautiful!



Palestrina's "Missa Papae Marcelli" has five movements. The richness of his music comes from the predominant use of lower voices- two tenors and two basses-with one countertenor and one treble. It was this glorious 'Marcellus Mass' that so impressed the Council of Trent (convened to purify the church service) in 1564, that they left Palestrina's music untouched.



William Mundy's "Vox Patris caelstis" (the voice of the Heavenly Father)was written during Queen Mary's reign (1553-1558) and is contemporary with Palestrina's work. Mundy composed on an enormous scale, the audibllity of the words being secondary to the expansion of the melodies, though he clearly appreciated the sensual connotation of the text, which is adapted from the 'Song of Solomon', as in, for instance, the repetitions of the word 'Veni'.



There is much to enjoy on this disc for the early music lover. Of course, one need only see the name "Tallis Scholars", and we know that we will hear the best in tone production, balance, phrasing, diction and appropriate emotion as the music indicates. Listening to this disc is the greatest musical experience not to be matched by any other. This reissue is half the price of the l981 issue. And remember 'A thing of beauty is a joy forever'.(Keats -maybe?)"

At long last!

Alexander Waverley | A tailor shop? | 09/27/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I heard Miserere performed at St. Martin-in-the-Fields several year ago by the London Musical Arts Ensemble & Chorus. It was moving beyond description. This is the only recording I have heard that captures that experience."