Stile Antico Sheppard: Media Vita Genre:Classical For its fourth recording, Stile Antico spotlights the work of the great Tudor master John Sheppard. Once overshadowed by his illustrious contemporary Thomaas Tallis, Sheppard is now recognized as a composer of extraordinar... more »y originality. The program displays his genius across the range of genres in which he composed. Its centerpiece is the great antiphon Media Vita - a reflection on the frailty of human life and the hope for salvation. Stile Antico is one of the most original and exciting choral ensembles today. The group's most recent release, Song of Songs, won the 2009 Gramophone for Early Music and reached the top of the U.S. Classical Chart. Notable engagements in the 2010 season include a New York debut in the Music before 1850 series.« less
For its fourth recording, Stile Antico spotlights the work of the great Tudor master John Sheppard. Once overshadowed by his illustrious contemporary Thomaas Tallis, Sheppard is now recognized as a composer of extraordinary originality. The program displays his genius across the range of genres in which he composed. Its centerpiece is the great antiphon Media Vita - a reflection on the frailty of human life and the hope for salvation. Stile Antico is one of the most original and exciting choral ensembles today. The group's most recent release, Song of Songs, won the 2009 Gramophone for Early Music and reached the top of the U.S. Classical Chart. Notable engagements in the 2010 season include a New York debut in the Music before 1850 series.
CD Reviews
Another Gem
S. T. Hickcox | Baton Rouge, LA USA | 02/14/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Another gem from this wonderful group. And I use the word advisedly as the music on this CD reminds me of opening a jewel box and being taken aback with the glowing beauty of the pieces therein.
I wish Harmonia Mundi had chosen to include data on the recording itself, when, where, etc. I searched the liner notes and HM's website without success. To my ears at least the engineering hit the nail on the head with this recording. The acoustics of the hall and mike placement are perfect for this group and the dynamics come across as they should. I listened to one of their earlier discs and it seems to me the music in it sounds more two dimensional while this disc sounds fuller and the presence of the hall is right on."
Stilo Antico is here to stay.
Jay Young | Austin, TX USA | 03/14/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"That's all I have to say about the young, talented, and (so far) conductorless group. With their 4th album, devoted to renaissance composer John Sheppard's music, they have definitively established themselves as the equals of the Tallis Scholars, the Sixteen, or any other vocal ensemble dedicated to early music you care to name.
John Sheppard's work has been unfortunately neglected in the acapella vocal music repertoire. When it is performed, it is mostly his Latin cornucopia, such as "In pace," "Verbum Caro," and "Libera Nos". Fortunately for us, some of his English works, including those that can't be found elsewhere, are included in this recording, such as "Lord's Prayer" in a simple 5-part setting, and Christ Rising Again, which has resonance and harmonic strength. The anthem "I give you a new commandment" is similar to Tallis' "If Ye Love Me," though Sheppard's anthem has richer texture and more extensive use of counterpoint. The title piece, "Media Vita," has only been recorded by a world-class ensemble one other by time- the Tallis Scholars 20 years ago. Stile Antico's version is slower and more deliberate, which enhances the harmonic tension. Further, the Tallis Scholars' recording was very treble-heavy, whereas this version is more balanced. One other difference is that the Scholars' recording was based on an edition prepared by scholar David Wustan, whereas members of Stile Antico prepared their performing editions, which is pretty amazing.
Anyone who enjoys early choral music will enjoy "Media Vita." Particularly since it features recordings of pieces by a composer who is often neglected. The performances are excellent, bringing the color, tension, and strength of Sheppard's music to life. Though the music is clearly rich in texture, the importance of the individual lines is never lost. And did I mention that the acoustics are about as good as you can get in a recording? Highly recommended.
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Cascading layers of loveliness
David J. Finnamore | Nashville, TN, USA | 03/20/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you like Thomas Tallis, you'll love John Sheppard. The music has that certain character that allows you to listen to it as deeply and attentively as you want, or you can just let it wash over you, even go to sleep by it. It invites your attention without demanding it. The more you give it, the more it will give you. But it will always leave you feeling spiritually refreshed.
This particular record is very nicely done on every level. Fine singing, fine acoustics, fine recording, thorough notes."
Spellbindingly gorgeous
William G. Kempster | 03/25/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"In a very short time Stile Antico has marked themselves out as something really special. If the Tallis Scholars have suggested to you that Renaissance music is sexless and dull, here is the antidote. Of their four CDs so far this is perhaps the best of all, not least because the repertoire is so magnificent and yet hardly known. One of the greatest choral recordings of all time."
Another wonderful recording
Heather A. Buettner | Los Angeles | 04/07/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I didn't think it could get much better than Song of Songs, but I'm happy to report that this group's recordings just keep getting better. Literally, Stile Antico means "ancient style," and is a term referring to a manner of composition which is historically-conscious. Their style and the recording itself seem very historically accurate - if you close your eyes, and you have good speakers, you can almost imagine that you're in an ancient cathedral listening to this music sung 500 years ago. This group rehearses and performs without a conductor, and it makes such a difference - you can tell how in sync the singers are with each other, timing their breaths, listening and tuning themselves to the group.
The 25 minute Media Vita ("In the midst of life, we are in death") is particularly magical.
- Heather Teysko, creator and producer of the Renaissance English History Podcast - find me on itunes."