Search - Choir of New College, Higginbottom :: Sancte Deus: Journey Through the Renaissance

A magical experience

Nancy Wiley | 03/05/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Words are hardly sufficient to describe the atmosphere that this utterly magical CD produces. "Atmosphere" is hardly the word - "incense filled mist" might be better. The choir of New College, Oxford under the direction of Edward Higginbottom is one of the most respected choirs in the interpretation of Renaissance choral music, and this recording demonstrates why beyond a shadow of doubt. All of the selections on this disc combine perfectly to give an impression of swirling incense, and none more so than Thomas Tallis's undisputed masterpiece "Spem in Alium" for 40-part choir. The choir had to be augmented by some extra trebles and gentlemen in order to handle 40-part division, but the total is certainly greater than the sum of its parts. "Spem in Alium" stretches beyond the mortal into the divine, and the effect is certainly stunning. I would, however, be amiss if I did not give sufficient praise to the rest of the disc. Most of the composers featured are Italian, and their compositions are precisely what one might expect of 16th and 17th century Italian church composers: highly devotional and intense. The choir's impeccably full-throated and fiery tone succeeds in bringing this music passionately and gloriously to life. This is highly recommended!!!"