The Song of Songs stands apart from its Biblical surroundings as one of the supreme love poems of world literature, a celebration of erotic love in the form of a dialogue between a bridegroom and his bride, invoking all the senses – the fragrance of wine, blossom, fruits and spices. Ranging widely over five centuries,from the relative asperity of Dunstaple to the lush exoticism of Daniel-Lesur, this cherrypicked assortment of sweetmeats is given exultant life by Mike Brewer and Laudibus.
Brewer and his award-winning chamber choir Laudibus have unearthed some rare and precious gems in this recording of a cappella choral music by one of England’s best-loved composers. Little-known works both early and late nestle alongside repertory staples such as the glorious Mass in G minor, in a programme which displays Vaughan Williams’ indebtedness to both the sacred and secular instincts of his Elizabethan precursors.
Vaughan Williams: The Souls Of The Righteous
Vaughan Williams: Greensleeves
Vaughan Williams: 3 Shakespeare Songs - Full Fathom Five
Vaughan Williams: 3 Shakespeare Songs - The Cloud-Capp'd Towers
Vaughan Williams: 3 Shakespeare Songs - Over Hill, Over Dale
Vaughan Williams: Prayer To The Father Of Heaven
Vaughan Williams: Mass In G Minor - Kyrie
Vaughan Williams: Mass In G Minor - Gloria
Vaughan Williams: Mass In G Minor - Credo
Vaughan Williams: Mass In G Minor - Sanctus & Osanna 1
Vaughan Williams: Mass In G Minor - Benedictus & Osanna 2
Vaughan Williams: Mass In G Minor - Agnus Dei
Vaughan Williams: O Vos Omnes
Vaughan Williams: Ca' The Yowes
Vaughan Williams: Love Is A Sickness
Vaughan Williams: 3 Elizabethan Part Songs - Sweet Day
Vaughan Williams: 3 Elizabethan Part Songs - The Willow Song
Vaughan Williams: 3 Elizabethan Part Songs - O Mistress Mine
Vaughan Williams: Silence & Music
Vaughan Williams: Heart's Music
1st August 2008
***
“The finely blended voices of Mike Brewer’s Laudibus, an offshoot of the National Youth Choir of Great Britain, provide much pleasure in this inventive selection of a cappella Vaughan Williams. Little-heard late motets mix with early strivings and that radiant response to Tudor polyphony, the Mass in G minor. But as the disc advances, a doubt arises. Mass or folk song, everything is sung with the same rapt reverence. Let’s also have a little iron in the fire.”
August 2008
****
“Vaughan Williams… musical personality shines out all through this selection of sacred and secular a cappella music… Mike Brewer's excellent chamber choir Laudibus sings with beautifully blended tone, and good stand-out solo work… the disc offers must to discover and must to enjoy, and its altogether a treasurable contribution to the Vaughan Williams anniversary celebrations.”
“Magnificently sung … superlative recording”
“Fascinating and splendidly executed …enlightens and reveals as much as it Impresses and delights”
“Laudibus seems to be not one chamber choir but several on this CD”
Click on any of the works listed above for alternative recordings.
Vaughan Williams: The Souls Of The Righteous
