Byrd: Fancy for my Lady Nevell

‘A very polished and confident performance. Quinney gives equally fluent renditions of the Voluntary and ‘Fancie for My Lady Nevell’, completing a disc that fulfils its brief with distinction’ (Gramophone)

“This particular work needs no introduction; indeed, some fine recordings already exist of this set, which has become a particular favourite of modern choirs. The atmosphere one associates with this combination of 'artist and repertoire' is present in abundance: warmth and intimacy combined with a certain reserve. At times the latter quality is perhaps too marked, or could have been leavened with a hint of extroversion: the opening track, perhaps, OLord, make thy servant Elizabeth. On the other hand the final selection, Sing joyfully (which, like the opening track, is sung a cappella) does indeed sound joyful.
In The Great Service itself, the character of the interpretations is entirely appropriate, and the choir may be heard at its best there. Its warmth of tone is due to the admixture throughout TheGreat Service of a chamber organ, sensitively handled by Robert Quinney. In the anthem Christ rising again the two treble soloists (accompanied by the organ) alternate with the full choir, a strategy that seems unconvincing because the music doesn't always lend itself to so strongly sectional an approach. Otherwise it's very polished and confident performance. Quinney gives equally fluent renditions of the Voluntary and 'Fancie for My Ladye Nevell', completing a disc that fulfils its brief with distinction.” Gramophone Classical Music Guide, 2010

“The atmosphere one associates with this combination of 'artist and repertoire' is present in abundance: warmth and intimacy combined with a certain reserve. In The Great Service itself, the character of the interpretations is entirely appropriate, and the choir may be heard at its best there. The warmth of tone... is due to the admixture throughout The Great Service of a chamber organ, sensitively handled by Robert Quinney. ...a disc that fulfils its brief with distinction.” Gramophone Magazine, March 2006

“The transfer to CD is excellent: play this to your musical friends and get them to guess when it was recorded.” Early Music Review

“...the registrations are effective without any lack of authenticity, and admirably designed to show off England's modest but distinctive contribution to classical organ-building. His playing, too, has a rhythmic zest about it (largely due to properly articulated phrasing)...anyone interested in early English music should make a point of listening to it.” Gramophone Magazine, October 1958

“The excellent musicianship displayed is quite simply beyond praise and the vibrancy and life made evident in the music is a real joy to hear. The booklet contains photographs and histories of all four instruments used.” The Organ