Music for Compline: Tallis, Byrd, Sheppard by Stile Antico - DeepRiffs

ALBUM

This gorgeous release by the young English unaccompanied vocal group Stile Antico would be worth your time and money simply for the quiet, perfectly intoned singing on display here. But the album accomplishes more than vocal virtuosity. Stile Antico presents music by three generations of English choral composers, all of it from the Catholic sphere and all of it written for the late-evening Compline services of the liturgical day. That programming decision results in a collection of music that wouldn't have been heard in the sixteenth century (the older music of Sheppard probably wouldn't have lasted until the century's end) but that does make sense to the modern listener trying to learn to hear this music with Renaissance ears. The reason is that the program is ideally structured to lead the listener from Sheppard (and his contemporary Hugh Aston) to Thomas Tallis and his musical heir, William Byrd. The disc opens with a two-section "Libera nos" by Sheppard, rich and dense. It moves on to one of Byrd's sparsest compositions, the hymn "Christe, qui lux es et dies," which ironically seems to have been influenced by the severe homophony of Anglican service music. Sheppard is generously represented, and this disc is strongly recommended to anyone who has been intrigued with his music but has felt overwhelmed by an entire disc's worth of it -- it seems to give the modern listener little to hang on to, but when placed in contrast with the more ordered works of Tallis and Byrd it seems luxuriant. The program is tied together as well by the Compline themes, which lend the entire album a meditative cast that will appeal to casual listeners as strongly as it will to closely attentive ones. This is superb choral singing that stands out from the crowd of recordings of unaccompanied English music of the sixteenth century.

1. Libera nos I & II

by Stile Antico

Ensemble: Stile Antico; Ensemble
Primary Artist: Stile Antico; Main Performer
Composer: John Sheppard; Composer

2. Salva nos, Domine

by Stile Antico

Ensemble: Stile Antico; Ensemble
Primary Artist: Stile Antico; Main Performer
Composer: Anonymous; Composer

3. Christe, qui lux es et dies

by Stile Antico

Ensemble: Stile Antico; Ensemble
Primary Artist: Stile Antico; Main Performer
Composer: William Byrd; Composer

4. In pace in idipsum

by Stile Antico

Primary Artist: Stile Antico; Main Performer
Ensemble: Stile Antico; Ensemble
Composer: John Sheppard; Composer
Lyricist: Unknown; Composer

5. In manus tuas

by Stile Antico

Ensemble: Stile Antico; Ensemble
Primary Artist: Stile Antico; Main Performer
Composer: Thomas Tallis; Composer

6. Jesu, salvator saeculi, verbum

by Stile Antico

Ensemble: Stile Antico; Ensemble
Primary Artist: Stile Antico; Main Performer
Composer: John Sheppard; Composer

7. In manus tuas I

by Stile Antico

Ensemble: Stile Antico; Ensemble
Primary Artist: Stile Antico; Main Performer
Composer: John Sheppard; Composer

8. In manus tuas II & III

by Stile Antico

Ensemble: Stile Antico; Ensemble
Primary Artist: Stile Antico; Main Performer
Composer: John Sheppard; Composer

9. Miserere mihi, Domine

by Stile Antico

Ensemble: Stile Antico; Ensemble
Primary Artist: Stile Antico; Main Performer
Composer: Anonymous; Composer

10. Miserere nostri, Domine

by Stile Antico

Ensemble: Stile Antico; Ensemble
Primary Artist: Stile Antico; Main Performer
Composer: Thomas Tallis; Composer

11. Miserere mihi, Domine

by Stile Antico

Ensemble: Stile Antico; Ensemble
Primary Artist: Stile Antico; Main Performer
Composer: William Byrd; Composer

12. In pace in idipsum

by Stile Antico

Ensemble: Stile Antico; Ensemble
Primary Artist: Stile Antico; Main Performer
Composer: Thomas Tallis; Composer

13. Christe, qui lux es et dies

by Stile Antico

Ensemble: Stile Antico; Ensemble
Primary Artist: Stile Antico; Main Performer
Composer: Robert White; Composer

14. Veni, Domine

by Stile Antico

Ensemble: Stile Antico; Ensemble
Primary Artist: Stile Antico; Main Performer
Composer: Anonymous; Composer

15. Nunc dimittis

by Stile Antico

Ensemble: Stile Antico; Ensemble
Primary Artist: Stile Antico; Main Performer
Composer: William Byrd; Composer

16. Te lucis ante terminum

by Stile Antico

Ensemble: Stile Antico; Ensemble
Primary Artist: Stile Antico; Main Performer
Composer: Thomas Tallis; Composer

17. Gaude, virgo mater Christi

by Stile Antico

Ensemble: Stile Antico; Ensemble
Primary Artist: Stile Antico; Main Performer
Composer: Hugh Aston; Composer

Technical Specifications

Volume

1 volume only

Tracks

17 tracks available

Type

ALBUM

Format

Digital Media

Duration

1 hour, 14 minutes and 25 seconds

Explicit

None

Coverart

Available and up to 1500x1500 px

Booklet

Available in PDF format

Max Quality

Studio Quality (Hi-Res)

24bit / 88.2 kHz

Stereo

Audio Extension

Hi-Res/Lossless: FLAC, M4A, WAV, WV, AIFF

Lossy: AAC, MP3, M4A, MP4, OGA, OGG, OPUS, WMA

Archive Format

Available in these formats: ZIP, TAR, RAR

Lyrics

2/17 tracks have lyrics

Synchronized Lyrics

No synced lyrics found

Genres

Sacred Vocal Music, Classical

Label

harmonia mundi

Music Distribution Service

IIP DDS

Country

United States

Language

English (United States)
Latin

Popularity

Release Date

Jan 15, 2007

Track Preview

Available

Delivery Charge

Free

Delivery Method

Digital download link via Email or Personal Dashboard on this site

UPC

5414939991622