Choral ensemble
ASV- 1093(CD)
Voces Sacrae is a polished and versatile ensemble which, in its three-year history, has built an extensive repertoire of music from the 15th Century to works of the present day. The choir adapts readily, taking into account matters of performance practice and ensemble size. Voces Sacrae performs and records in association with Oxford University Press, promoting new choral repertoire from several OUP "house" composers - most recently Michael Berkeley, Bob Chilcott, Michael Finnissy and John Rutter. The ensemble has recently completed a recording of Finnissy's Seven Sacred Motets which was released on the Metier label. Recordings of pieces by all the above composers are near to completion.
Works by Magnus Williamson and Anthony Pitts have been recorded recently and several other
projects are underway. Gabriel Jackson is representative of composers' interest in the ensemble: having asked Voces Sacrae to perform and record some of his sacred choral music, he plans to have the ensemble perform a long, multi-voiced work. Two shorter motets have been recorded already.
Voces Sacrae undertook its first international tour to Sydney, Australia, in the summer of
1998, in association with Oxford University Press. Much media attention was paid to the nine
well-attended concerts given in and around the city by the choir, particularly with regard to their world première performance of Michael Finnissy's Seven Sacred Motets (at Sydney's oldest and perhaps most prestigious church, St James' King Street). Two of the motets were performed live on the Australian Broadcasting Commission's national music programme, "The Music Show". Subsequently, parts of another concert were filmed for television and another whole concert was recorded and broadcast on a local radio station. Other premières included works by Gabriel Jackson and the Missa Tertia (aliter "Anguis in gramine") by Magnus Williamson. Workshops, aimed principally at secondary school-aged children, were valued highly both by participating children and school music staff.
"A valid rival to The Tallis Scholars".
(CHURCH TIMES, London)
"Voces Sacrae is an extremely competent, well-balanced and high-class
outfit". (OXFORD TIMES)
"This Metier recording offers a crystal clear production. The voices penetrate the ear with an ambience and clarity that easily transforms the listener from the present to a Renaissance Burgundian court as the sometimes highly complex contrapuntal lines float teasingly in a viscous sap. Dynamically, perhaps the recording lacks some colour, appearing sometimes as a monochrome although the phrases are expertly executed especially in the solo voices. Plosives and sibilance (Explosive sounds and hissing sounds?: Editor) are eradicated without any loss of the intricate and ornate part writing resulting in a wonderfully spacious recording - undoubtedly great value for money at a mid-price range".
METIER MSV CD92023:
(CLASSICAL SOURCE, London)
