Satisfying
reviewer in Down East Maine | Lamoine, Maine United States | 10/20/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The strength of this recording is the diverse programming: stepping outside the English anthem box most listeners attribute to the Cambridge Singers. To be sure there are English composers represented, but there is also Stravinksy, Tchaikovsky and chant, spanning centuries. The pieces are also sorted according to the liturgical year, helpful to choir directors. Naturally the Cambridge Singers deliver precise choral interpretation we've come to expect from them."
Hail, Mary...
FrKurt Messick | Bloomington, IN USA | 10/02/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This collection sees the Cambridge Singers once again in one of their most familiar recording settings, the Lady Chapel of Ely Cathedral, with its famed nine-second reverberation, singing very appropriate music for the place, music in honour of the Virgin Mary. This recording was done in 1991.
--Music--
The Blessed Virgin Mary has been the subject of theological discussion, admiration, veneration, and musical composition throughout the history of Christendom. Music in honour of the Virgin Mary is sung throughout the year in different settings. The music here is divided into four primary sections according to the liturgical calendar: Advent to Candlemas, Candlemas to Holy Week, East to Pentecost, and Trinity to Advent.
Each section begins with a Gregorian chant, which often set influences for later composers. The chants included in this collection are Alma Redempotoris Mater, Ave Regina caelorum, Regina caeli laetare, and Salve Regina. Rutter has selected a cross-section of composers from medieval to modern times to supplement these chants. Composers include the early greats such as Palestrina, Victoria, Dering, Guerrero, and of course, Byrd. More modern composers include Bruckner, Verdi, Stravinsky, Tchaikovsky, Howells, Holst, and the contemporary Villette and Swayne.
The addition of Stravinsky and Tchaikovsky show the Orthodox influences in this general body of music in honour of the Virgin Mary. Swayne's Magnificat, on the other hand, is based upon a Senegalese ploughing-song.
The performances are wonderful, deep and full of grace. The voices are in joyous agreement, sometimes meditative and ponderous, but always uplifting.
--Liner Notes--
The notes include an introduction to the CD, a listing of the tracks with composer, arranger and lyrics, together with a brief paragraph about the history of the piece. Where lyrics are in another language (Latin), an English translation is provided. There is a listing of the performers of the Cambridge Singers, but no description of the group, nor biographical information about John Rutter.
--John Rutter--
Rutter was born in London and educated at Clare College, Cambridge. This was where his career as a composer, arranger and conductor began. His early work was with groups at King's College Chapel at Cambridge as well as the Bath Choir and Philharmonic Orchestra. He has worked for the BBC providing music for educational series such as 'The Archaeology of the Bible Lands', until in 1979 he began forming the Cambridge Singers, and has continued a remarkable career of performance and recording as their director ever since.
--The Cambridge Singers--
The Cambridge Singers are a mixed choir of voices, many of whom were members of choir of Rutter's college, Clare College, Cambridge. While they specialise in English and Latin liturgical pieces, they have a wide range of recordings that span from modern compositions (including a remarkable requiem by Rutter) to English folk songs of the Middle Ages. Many are former members of the choir of Clare College and other Cambridge collegiate choirs (hence the name, Cambridge Singers). In the quarter-century since the founding, the Cambridge Singers have produced an impressive body of recordings.
This is a recording full of grace.
"
Track Listings (21) - Disc #1