Search - Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck, Richard Marlow, Trinity College Chapel Choir Cambridge :: Sweelinck: Cantiones Sacrae, Vol.1

A lovely CD, well worth owning

Gracejoy | New York, NY United States | 06/18/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What a treat -- I found this CD tucked away in the "used CD" rack at a small local music store that normally specializes in grunge and offbeat rock music. People who know me will know that I can never resist a good choral recording, and when the music is Renaissance to boot, well - then I am in heaven. What intrigued me about this recording was that I had never even heard of Sweelinck and was therefore quite curious to know what his music was like; I was also aware that Trinity College Chapel Choir, Cambridge is a fine one and so I assumed the music had to be good. And, of course, it is!Being a choral music performer and enthusiast rather than knowledgeable scholar, I won't attempt to offer any impressive analysis of Sweelinck's music or compare him in fancy terms to other composers of the era, but I can attest that this is music I enjoy very much. The mood is light and sweet, but not trite, with lots of lively counterpoint and some very pretty melodies. And the silvery pure tone of the singing here is absolutely lovely. The sopranos dominate the sound slightly but this is not a problem at all as their voices are clear and beautiful. It is really a shame that during my first and only visit to Cambridge, which occurred last year, I did not have the opportunity to hear any of its fine choirs. I do plan to make a return trip at some point in the future to rectify that, and will now add Trinity College Chapel Choir to my list of "must-hear" choirs when I am there. This is beautiful Renaissance choral music performed by an excellent choir - what more can one ask for? I recommend this CD to anyone who is curious about (or already a fan of) Sweelinck or who simply enjoys the sound of a first-rate choir."