Without doubt, Monteverdi was the greatest of the early baroque European composers. He revolutionised the music of the theatre and the church by his dramatic and imaginative use of voices and instruments and by his daring harmonies and rhythms. Next to his Vespers of 1610, the Selva morale e spirituale of 1641 is his most significant and virtuosic collection of sacred music. This second volume of The Sixteen’s celebrated series includes the Messa à 4 da cappella.
“the overall effect is lyrical, musical, intelligent and poised.” BBC Music Magazine, September 2012 ****
“Vol 2 covers the most modern and old-fashioned compositions the elderly Monteverdi selected...choral refrains are supple, solos are sung eloquently and the Latin texts are communicated crisply.” Gramophone Magazine, August 2012
“There is a sense of a deep familiarity with the music in this recording, a feeling of easiness with Monteverdi's harmonic and, especially, rhythmic vocabulary that lends a tripping lightness to the performances that I find very British..The four-part Mass fares particularly well in the hands of The Sixteen...Its light instrumental continuo support is well chosen...and the acoustics of St Silas the Martyr in Kentish Town seem to be absolutely right for this ravishing music.” International Record Review, June 2012
