Mozart: Vesperae solemnes de confessore in C, K339 (Solemn Vespers)

“The soloists form a well-balanced team, with Roderick Williams assured and expressive in his major solo in the Fauré, and Elin Manahan Thomas true in intonation and charming in gesture in 'Laudate Dominum'” BBC Music Magazine, June 2008 ***

“…the singers of The Sixteen evoked an unearthly expressiveness. Fauré once said: ‘here it was as if we had stumbled upon some private memorial, and caught a haunting glimpse of paradise.” The Independent

“The orchestra is alert, but in this recording the strings are often overwhelmed by the wind and timpani...The all-male choir is internally well balanced, though it's not always precisely on the beat or unanimously in tune...[Kilsby] makes a very strong showing in his important solos. His tone is sweet and his voice is graceful in the Agnus Dei of the Mass, nigh-on perfect in the Laudate Dominum of the Vespers.” BBC Music Magazine, March 2012 ***

“The young trebles of Tewkesbury Abbey are a force to be reckoned with. They sing musically and fearlessly with excellent diction and a mature, warm tone.” Choir & Organ, September 2011

“The attraction of this CD lies partly in the combination of three of Mozart’s most sublime sacred works...and partly in the innocent sound of the trebles of Tewkesbury Abbey, one of whom sings the soprano solos in the Mass. Charivari Agréable, a lively period instrument ensemble, is another plus: there’s none of the overweening solemnity that often belabours this music” Financial Times, 2nd December 2011 **

“Tewkesbury Abbey Schola Cantorum's solo treble, Laurence Kilsby, has a mature voice with a hint of quasi-operatic 'wobble'; he combines well with the adult soloists. The choir are full of the abandon of this delicious music and the small-scale period-instrument band Charivari Agreable accompany most agreeably (fantastic gunshot timps!)...The comprehensive and charming packaging puts the Tewkesbury lads centre stage, which is precisely where they should be.” Gramophone Magazine, January 2012

“Charivari Agreable are especially rich and incisive...In fact, the tone is just right, sounding neither too Baroque nor too Romantic - not just Classical in timbre but somehow Austrian Classical...Benjamin Nicholas conducts the Mass and Vespers with vigour and grace and the Ave verum corpus with a sublime stillness that never sounds sentimental.” International Record Review, January 2012

“Quick smart performances of some of Mozart's most popular choral works. Dorothée Mields is radiant, and while none of her solo colleagues are in the same league, they combine as a mellifluous quartet.” Gramophone Magazine, Awards Issue 2009

“…Mackerras directs an energetic, exultant performance of the Solemn Vespers… Orchestral detail registers clearly, with Mackerras coaxing a dancing lightness from the Dresden violins. …Mackerras responds vividly to the Mass's mystery… drama and lyrical poignancy. The "Domine Deus" and "Crucifixus", baleful, minatory brass to the fore, are as apocalyptic as any on disc...” Gramophone Magazine, November 2009