Search - Harry Christophers, The Sixteen, Fretwork :: Taverner: Missa Gloria tibi Trinitas; Audivi Vocem de Coelo

Swept Away by Beauty

mollym | College Station, Texas USA | 03/14/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Although Ashley Pomeroy's review is highly amusing in a droll English way, I think that Taverner, an eloquent and far-seeing composer, and this exquisite recording of his "Missa Gloria tibi Trinitas" deserve more comment. The Penguin Guide to CDs (2002) says it better than I can: This Mass is "richly varied in its invention and expressive in a deeply personal way very rare for its period." And The 16's recording "underline[s] the beauty with a pure and clear account,superbly recorded ... brilliant." To me it's transparent--as though a veil ripped away and we saw into blue infinity.
This CD's major competition is the Tallis Scholars CD on Phillips (please buy it also if you can). The Tallis CD, openly passionate and mystical, may reflect our Mannerist sensibilities today more precisely than those of Taverner's day. (Tell me, someone--did Taverner visit Italy? Did he meet Italian painters and architects?)
In his day, Mannerism had not yet enveloped the court of Henry VIII. The 16 sing very appropriately like Renaissance angels--their voices unite and soar with transparency and purity into the empyrean (the Greek highest heaven of fire and light).
Don't miss Taverner's "The Western Wynde" by this group. And Amazon--please bring us Taverner's "Missa Corona Spinea.""