Where late the sweet birds sang

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The subtle hues of the choir, an elite corps from Winchester Cathedrals, are particularly impressive in Byrd's Lamentation, a piece in which voicing gives the music its momentum. Yet the beauty... — BBC Music Magazine, January 2013, 4 out of 5 stars More…

Release Date: 5th Nov 2012
Catalogue No: CKD417
Label: Linn
Length: 75 minutes

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Byrd: Christe qui lux es et dies

Work length5:11

$1.00

$1.50

$2.05

Magnificat, Philip Cave
Recorded: 23-26 January 2012
Recording Venue: St. George's Church, Chesterton, Cambridge, United Kingdom

White, Robert: Lamentations a 5

Work length22:55

Album only

Magnificat, Philip Cave
Recorded: 23-26 January 2012
Recording Venue: St. George's Church, Chesterton, Cambridge, United Kingdom

Parsons, R: Ave Maria

Work length4:56

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$1.50

$2.05

Magnificat, Philip Cave
Recorded: 23-26 January 2012
Recording Venue: St. George's Church, Chesterton, Cambridge, United Kingdom

Byrd: Domine, quis habitabit I

Work length9:36

$1.50

$2.30

$3.05

Magnificat, Philip Cave
Recorded: 23-26 January 2012
Recording Venue: St. George's Church, Chesterton, Cambridge, United Kingdom

Parsons, R: Domine, quis habitabit II

Work length4:43

$1.00

$1.50

$2.05

Magnificat, Philip Cave
Recorded: 23-26 January 2012
Recording Venue: St. George's Church, Chesterton, Cambridge, United Kingdom

Byrd: Quomodo cantabimus

Work length8:41

$1.50

$2.30

$3.05

Magnificat, Philip Cave
Recorded: 23-26 January 2012
Recording Venue: St. George's Church, Chesterton, Cambridge, United Kingdom

Byrd: De lamentatione

Work length12:32

$2.05

$3.05

$4.05

Magnificat, Philip Cave
Recorded: 23-26 January 2012
Recording Venue: St. George's Church, Chesterton, Cambridge, United Kingdom

White, Robert: Christe qui lux es et dies (IV)

Work length6:50

$1.00

$1.50

$2.05

Magnificat, Philip Cave
Recorded: 23-26 January 2012
Recording Venue: St. George's Church, Chesterton, Cambridge, United Kingdom

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Magnificat delivers once again; ‘Where late the sweet birds sang’ is a gorgeous contrapuntal choral collection of works by three of the leading Elizabethan composers, featuring some of the repertoire’s best singers.

Since the time of Byrd Westminster and Winchester Cathedrals have been renowned as two of England’s finest choral cathedrals.

The choristers on this recording, from Westminster and Winchester, maintain that lineage, their voices blending seamlessly and naturally.

The recording was made in St. George’s church in Chesterton, Cambridge which is of a similar scale to Waltham Abbey where Byrd was composing.

Byrd is increasingly recognised as a composer of great importance and ‘Where late the sweet birds sang’ will show that White and Parsons are equally exciting and deserving of renewed attention.

Magnificat are one of the world’s premier vocal ensembles whose recordings have met with huge critical acclaim: Thomas Tallis’ Spem in alium was hailed as ‘quite the best recording’ by Gramophone Magazine and was First Choice in Building A Library on BBC Radio 3's CD Review. In addition their recording of Victoria’s Officium Defunctorum was named Critics’ Choice by Gramophone Magazine and chosen by The Rough Guide as one of its 100 Essential Classical CDs.

Directed by Philip Cave, Magnificat specialises in the restoration and performance of neglected choral masterpieces of the 16th and 17th centuries.

In association with Linn Records, Magnificat has undertaken many highly successful recording projects of music from ‘The Golden Age’, including works by Gesualdo, Guerrero, Josquin, Rebelo, Victoria, Allegri, Tallis, Rogier and Palestrina.

Reviews

January 2013

The subtle hues of the choir, an elite corps from Winchester Cathedrals, are particularly impressive in Byrd's Lamentation, a piece in which voicing gives the music its momentum. Yet the beauty of this choir is, ironically, its greatest weakness.

January 2013

There is such precision and care paid to the progress of the music and its phrases that you can almost see Philip Cave placing each note carefully, exactly where he wants it. That's not to say Magnificat's sound is in any way bland in its meticulousness - far from it. The blend and ensemble of the voices is beyond reproach.

9th December 2012

The sober packaging of this disc gives little indication of the pleasure within. Pass it over at your peril...the long lines of intertwining and unfolding polyphony, performed with warmth and purity, is the reason to buy this inspirational CD.

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