Search - Magnificat, Cave :: Magnificat: The Golden Age, Vol. 1: Europe

Wonderfully passionate singing!

eczematic | 11/06/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There are a lot of Renaissance compilations out there, but this one is truly worth having. Familiar works by Allegri and Palestrina find interesting partners in lesser known pieces by Rebelo and Guerrero. Truly first rate."

Fresh performances of Ye Olde Favourytes

eczematic | Sydney, Australia | 03/13/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I second what Peter below says: this is absolutely first-rate. The choir is made up of many of the usual suspects from Tallis Scholars, and the Clerks Group and so forth - but they've got a lot more charisma and expressive power than either of those groups. They also have impeccable intonation, clarity, power and a rich, warm sound. The Palestrina Stabat Mater, in particular, has impressive flexibility and engagement with the text, and also benefits from some judicious ornamentation in the upper voices (much like the equally recommendable performance by the Taverner Consort). The result is something that sounds miles away from the sort of monolithic wall-of-sound approach that Palestrina often receives from English choirs. Other highlights are the three rarely recorded Lassus motets that close the disc, showing contrasting examples of the composer's output, from the serene to the chromatic; a fine performance of Pierre de la Rue's 'Absalon Fili Mi' (here attributed to Josquin), and a delicious miniature of disfigured beauty from Gesualdo. These are pieces that everyone should have anyway: I can't think of a better late Renaissance compilation than this."