Cornysh the elder: Ave Maria Mater Dei

The Choir of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford, under the direction of Stephen Darlington, gives glorious renderings of rich 15th-century English sacred music from the Eton Choirbook, by Browne, Cornysh, Davy, Lambe and Wylkynson.

Following a critically acclaimed recording of music from the Eton Choirbook, More Divine Than Human (AV2167), The Choir of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford returns with a second volume from the vast collection of 15th-century English sacred music, Choirs of Angels. The works range from John Browne's richly scored eight-part O Maria salvatoris mater, the first piece in the Eton Choirbook, to William Cornysh's exquisite miniature Ave Maria mater Dei, the choirbook's shortest work. The compositional range in the Eton Choirbook demands extraordinary virtuosity from its performers, and Stephen Darlington and his choir of men and boys do this glorious music tremendous justice.

Critical acclaim for The Choir of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford's More Divine Than Human (AV2167):

"A disc to send the spirits soaring. Glorious beyond words." - Gramophone, Best of 2009

"Hugely appealing...natural, spacious, rich, expressive performances." - The Sunday Times

"They do a fantastic job and the soundworld is terrific." - BBC Music Magazine

Since they were founded in 1979 Harry Christophers and The Sixteen have recorded over 100 discs of choral music spanning 600 years. On this new collection, CORO presents a selection of their most celebrated recordings of music by British composers.

From Tallis’s monumental Spem in Alium and Sheppard’s Media Vita in morte sumus to the delights of Purcell’s The Fairy Queen and MacMillan’s powerfully emotive A Child’s Prayer written in memory of the Dunblane tragedy, this disc provides a superb collection of works from some of Britain’s most eminent composers.

Stellar soloists including Michael Chance, Michael George and Mark Padmore all feature and there are works from The Sixteen’s Award-winning Handel recordings—Messiah and Coronation Anthems.

Sixteen tracks, eleven composers, and a feast of British choral music that will delight fans of The Sixteen as well as those new to the ensemble.

“Let these glorious sounds fill your ears and lift your spirits.” GRAMOPHONE

“Outstanding...astonishing stylistic and expressive range.” BBC MUSIC MAGAZINE

“One of the finest choirs of our day.” GRAMOPHONE

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Music for angels and saints from the glorious English choral tradition. A rich sound, a fine acoustic, and beautiful, expressive music from the sixteenth century lifts the spirits and soars above the arches and aisles to heaven above! Perfect for relaxation and meditation during a quiet moment of the day.

Here for the first time on CD are the celebrated five LPs of the HMV Treasury of English Church Music. Prefaced by the introductory speech Herbert Howells gave at the launch, and boasting more than 30 bonus tracks, this set offers a uniquely authoritative and comprehensive conspectus of the broad repertory of cathedral, collegiate and parish church choirs in the 1960s.