- Audio CD (21 Feb 2005)
- Number of Discs: 1
- Label: Decca (UMO)
- ASIN: B00076SJE6
- Other Editions: MP3 Download
- Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 4,619 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
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Product details |
Track Listings
| 1. Allegri - Miserere |
| 2. Barber - Agnus Dei (Platoon) |
| 3. Lotti - Crucifixus |
| 4. Tavener - The Lamb (Orange Tv Ad) |
| 5. Monteverdi - Christe, Adoramus Te |
| 6. Palestrina - Kyrie From Missa Papae Marcelli |
| 7. Tallis - If Ye Love Me |
| 8. Gorecki - Totus Tuus |
| 9. Bruckner - Locus Iste |
| 10. Tomkins - When David Heard |
| 11. Byrd - Iustorum Mundi |
| 12. Byrd - Agnus Dei From 4pt Mass |
| 13. Josquin - Ave Maria |
| 14. Poulenc - Salve Regina |
| 15. Sheppard - Libera Nos |
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
This new release is somewhat mistitled: while most of the pieces are, in fact, from the Renaissance (or early Baroque), there are works here also by Samuel Barber, Poulenc, John Tavener, Bruckne,r and Gorecki. What they all have in common is their beauty and serenity. Perhaps the CDs subtitle, "Music for Inner Peace," also refers to a type of renaissance, i.e., spiritual re-birth: in which case, they're right on the money. The Sixteen, led by Harry Christophers, is one of the greatest proponents of this sort of choral music in the world, and they don't disappoint here: The Allegri "Miserere," with its wickedly beautiful ascent to high C by soprano soloist, is ravishing; Barber's own arrangement of his "Adagio for strings" for chorus (1967) is polyphony at its most "renaissance" without actually being so, and Gorecki's "Totos Tuus" is otherworldly in it mysticism. The selections by Byrd, Tomkins, et al., are, like the others, impeccably performed. Even an early piece by contemporary composer John Tavener, normally the master of excruciatingly pretentiousness, is lovely. This recording is a gem. --Robert Levine
Album Description
Renaissance--Music for Inner Peace is a beautiful collection of music for revival and relaxation from across five centuries. Featured in this selective collection are the sublime "Agnus Dei", by Barber, "Miserere" by Allegri, "If Ye Love Me" by Tallis and many more.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
33 of 33 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This compilation contains some real gems. Most people will have heard Allegri's "Miserere", Barber's "Agnus Dei" and "If ye love me" by Tallis. But there are other less well-known compositions that you will find entrancing, especially after repeated hearings. Thomas Tomkins(1572-1656) is represented by the very beautiful "When David heard" and his contemporary, William Byrd by "Iustorum Animae". The album is worth the investment for these two pieces alone. I refer to Jeremy Nicholas' notes who quotes Harry Christophers: "Byrd to me is the king of architecture in music". I would challenge you to listen to Iustorum Animae a few times and then try to disagree.
It is interesting that the CD contains more modern works such as the Barber and works by Gorecki, Bruckner, Poulenc and Taverner, all beautifully sung by The Sixteen. Firmly recommended!
It is interesting that the CD contains more modern works such as the Barber and works by Gorecki, Bruckner, Poulenc and Taverner, all beautifully sung by The Sixteen. Firmly recommended!
60 of 62 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
The excellence of the Sixteen combined with an exquisite selection of religious chorals apparently by their able conductor Harry Christophers render this compilation a true gem. The title of the disc namely 'Renaissance' is somewhat misleading. The disc comprise sixteen compositions conveniently falling in two clusters:eleven were written in the 16th and 17th centuries that is indeed in Renaissance and the Baroque while five were created in the twentieth century.
The disc commences with the sublime composition 'Miserere' by Allegri which at nearly 12 minutes is the longest of the lot. This serves in addition as an example of prodigal musical memory cited in the liner note but my quotation is from Philip Ball's book 'The Music Instinct' published this year:'At the age of fourteen, Mozart is said to have written down from memory the entire score of the choral 'Miserere' of Gregorio Allegri after hearing it once in the Sistine Chapel (he made some minor corrections after a second hearing two days later). Although the papacy had forbidden any transcription of the 'Miserere', Pope Clement XIV was so impressed by the young lad's genius that he gave him knighthood.'
Harry Christophers whose commentary appears in many pieces in the liner note, writes on the expressive power of the human voice in the compilation:'Here we have the opportunity to explore that expressive range in choral music taking us from the simplicity of the plaisong line to works in 4 to 14 parts which touch the heart of our emotions, whether in prayer, hope or exultant praise. All reflect the architecture of Europe's greatest cathedrals and Chapels, be it the vast nave of Canterbury or Seville, the golden domes of St Mark's Venice or Michelangelo's frescoes in the Sistine Chapel.'
Composers in the first cluster include in addition to Allegri, Lotti, Monteverdi and Palestrina and the English composers Byrd and Tallis while in the second cluster the American composer Samuel Barber and the British composer John Tavener.
The disc commences with the sublime composition 'Miserere' by Allegri which at nearly 12 minutes is the longest of the lot. This serves in addition as an example of prodigal musical memory cited in the liner note but my quotation is from Philip Ball's book 'The Music Instinct' published this year:'At the age of fourteen, Mozart is said to have written down from memory the entire score of the choral 'Miserere' of Gregorio Allegri after hearing it once in the Sistine Chapel (he made some minor corrections after a second hearing two days later). Although the papacy had forbidden any transcription of the 'Miserere', Pope Clement XIV was so impressed by the young lad's genius that he gave him knighthood.'
Harry Christophers whose commentary appears in many pieces in the liner note, writes on the expressive power of the human voice in the compilation:'Here we have the opportunity to explore that expressive range in choral music taking us from the simplicity of the plaisong line to works in 4 to 14 parts which touch the heart of our emotions, whether in prayer, hope or exultant praise. All reflect the architecture of Europe's greatest cathedrals and Chapels, be it the vast nave of Canterbury or Seville, the golden domes of St Mark's Venice or Michelangelo's frescoes in the Sistine Chapel.'
Composers in the first cluster include in addition to Allegri, Lotti, Monteverdi and Palestrina and the English composers Byrd and Tallis while in the second cluster the American composer Samuel Barber and the British composer John Tavener.
42 of 46 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
The soaring sweetness of the voices and the beautiful harmonies are breathtaking, inspiring and relaxing all at the same time. This is my favourite of all the Sixteen cds.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Renaissance music, The 16.
This was bought as a Christmas present for my wife at her request. As an ageing rocker I didn't expect to like it but it is the most amazing music sung to perfection. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Phill-l-fix it
What a great find!
This really isn't my usual sort of thing, but having heard a snatch of a gorgeous choral piece in Channel 4 programme 'This is England 1988' (I know - I'm a philistine), I tracked... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Ag Man
Music for Inner Peace
So calming and uplifting - I pop this on when I feel that my busy schedule is getting out of hand. It's a real stress-buster.
Published 9 months ago by A. Pernyes
Great Cd but....
I purchased this cd and found it to be wonderful in every way but would forewarn any one who thought of purchasing this to possibly see if the 2cd set is a better buy as I... Read more
Published 9 months ago by MJP
Music for inner peace - does what it says on the box!
Although I feel that the first two tracks are the finest on the album, I do not mean the rest are just OK. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Belfast Barbara
Calm
If you want to restore a little peace and traquility to your life, take the time to listen to this....Superb!
Published 12 months ago by S. Clarke
Renaissance - Music for Inner Peace
All I can say about this CD is that is absolutely beautiful and enchanting to listen to. I have had it for only two weeks and I just find it relaxing, helps my drive to and from... Read more
Published 14 months ago by gail
Bliss!
Does what it says on the tin. Absolutely beautiful voices singing some wonderful pieces of music. It is impossible not to love this collection.
Published 18 months ago by Kathryn
heavenly music
The performances on this cd are superb. The choice of material is also excellent, and, for my taste, make it superior to some other cds by Harry Christophers and the Sixteen e.g. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Stephen
Renaissance
The 16 are at their best here, a terrific sound. A pity we did not get a little more of the Bruckner track ; but all round first class and great value
Published 18 months ago by johna
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