Charpentier, M-A: Le Reniement de Saint Pierre, H 424 (St Peter's denial)

“Graham O'Reilly's helpful notes justify convincingly the one-to-a-part performance of this selection of Charpentier's sacred music. The singing is superb throughout, and the recording reflects the immediacy of the dramatic music while bathing the reflective motets in a richly enveloping sound, helped by the generous acoustic of the bare Abbey at Fontmorigny in France. A disc to treasure.” BBC Music Magazine, November 2004 *****

“The blend of the vocal lines is superb and the handling of ornament little short of breathtaking.” BBC Music Magazine, September 2005

“It is really spendid to have the Messe a quatre choeurs in a thoroughly involving historically informed performance at last. Skidmore leaves no stone unturned in his exploration of its quadraphonic charms…eloquent soloists [are] drawn from the ranks of the choir. And what a choir, gutsy when required, but flexible enough to cope with Charpentier's ever-changing choral configurations ... this is a thrilling release, and I heartily recommend it.” International Record Review

“The opening is arresting – the polished Ex Cathedra immerse themselves thoroughly in this beautifully wrought art.” Sunday Times

“Skidmore once again demonstrates his total empathy with French Baroque repertoire, inspiring his large choral forces to performances that capture a huge gamut of emotions ranging from thrilling grandeur to heartbreaking sublimity. The issue is a magnificent achievement all round.” Fanfare

“The brilliance of this work is expertly captured by Ex Cathedra directed by Jeffrey Skidmore. The choral sound is excellent, whether in the well-managed polychoral exchanges or in the full passages, and the solo singing is very accomplished.” Early Music Review

“Ex Cathedra's choirs and soloists sound ravishing … Skidmore's conducting results in a performance containing breadth and relaxed phrasing, which in turn allow emotion to shine through the complex polyphony.” Goldberg