Renaissance: Music for Inner Peace

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
This new release is somewhat mistitled: while most of the pieces are, in fact, from the Renaissance (or early Baroque), there are works here also by Samuel Barber, Poulenc, John Tavener, Bruckne,r and Gorecki. What they all have in common is their beauty and serenity. Perhaps the CDs subtitle, "Music for Inner Peace," also refers to a type of renaissance, i.e., spiritual re-birth: in which case, they're right on the money. The Sixteen, led by Harry Christophers, is one of the greatest proponents of this sort of choral music in the world, and they don't disappoint here: The Allegri "Miserere," with its wickedly beautiful ascent to high C by soprano soloist, is ravishing; Barber's own arrangement of his "Adagio for strings" for chorus (1967) is polyphony at its most "renaissance" without actually being so, and Gorecki's "Totos Tuus" is otherworldly in it mysticism. The selections by Byrd, Tomkins, et al., are, like the others, impeccably performed. Even an early piece by contemporary composer John Tavener, normally the master of excruciatingly pretentiousness, is lovely. This recording is a gem. --Robert Levine

Tracks:

Miserere
Agnus Dei Opus 11
Crucifixus (8-Part)
The Lamb
Christe adoramus te
Kyrie
If Ye Love Me
Totus Tuus, Op.60
Locus Iste
When David heard - (Anthem)
Iustorum animae, 5vv
Salvator mundi (Cantiones sacrae 1575)
Agnus Dei
Ave Maria - (4vv)
Salve Regina
Libera nos, salva nos 1 - antiphon:7vv

Amazon.com

This new release is somewhat mistitled: while most of the pieces are, in fact, from the Renaissance (or early Baroque), there are works here also by Samuel Barber, Poulenc, John Tavener, Bruckne,r and Gorecki. What they all have in common is their beauty and serenity. Perhaps the CDs subtitle, "Music for Inner Peace," also refers to a type of renaissance, i.e., spiritual re-birth: in which case, they're right on the money. The Sixteen, led by Harry Christophers, is one of the greatest proponents of this sort of choral music in the world, and they don't disappoint here: The Allegri "Miserere," with its wickedly beautiful ascent to high C by soprano soloist, is ravishing; Barber's own arrangement of his "Adagio for strings" for chorus (1967) is polyphony at its most "renaissance" without actually being so, and Gorecki's "Totos Tuus" is otherworldly in it mysticism. The selections by Byrd, Tomkins, et al., are, like the others, impeccably performed. Even an early piece by contemporary composer John Tavener, normally the master of excruciatingly pretentiousness, is lovely. This recording is a gem. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

Ethereal Album.......2005-11-09

I heard this album played on my local PBS station one morning and was in immediate love. It's worth every cent you'll pay for it.

Great Music, Fine Performances.......2005-11-02

First off, the title of this album is misleading. Only one of the tracks stems from the high Renaisance. The rest span from the Reformation period to contemporary. All of them are liturgical, all of a certain calm and meditative style--which could be inferred from the subtitle: "Music for Inner Peace."

But those are quibbles. The voices are excellent. The direction impeccable. The recording technique outstanding. And the program--given its self-immposed limitations of peaceful liturgical pieces--is very good. It was a stroke of programming genius to put the "miserere" of Gregorio Allegri (1582-1652) back to back with the "agnus dei" of Samuel Barber (1910-1981). The untrained ear might think the two pieces contemporary, even from the same composer, but for one trained in this genre of music, the differences of nuance are delightful and exhilirating.

I tend to prefer complete works, and listening through this album I sometimes wished for some livelier moments, but those quibbles aside, I am happy to assign a full five stars to this excellent recording. One of the advantages of a potpourri album such as this is that one gets to hear works from composers who might otherwise escape notice.

Music for Inner Peace Indeed!.......2005-08-29

Though there is somewhat of a sameness to the mood of this beautifully performed and recorded album of choral works that span centuries, that uniformity of message is the creative force for this survey of music by various and varied composers. The works were selected to provide a parcel of time away from the noise outside the spirit, a place for meditation and solace so desperately needed today.

Harry Christophers conducts the inordinately talented Sixteen singers with support where indicated from early instruments ensemble, The Symphony of Harmony And Invention, in an organic, crystalline, seamless range of songs from the Renaissance to the present. Works include Monteverdi, Tallis, Byrd, Palestrina, Allegri and travel through time to Bruckner, Poulenc, Taverner, Gorecki, and Barber. Each work is lovingly rendered in perfect intonation and control, setting aside the 'individual' for the sonorous, anonymous, other-worldly sound only found in the great choral works through the ages. Christophers' tempi tend toward the languorous - the 'Agnus Dei' Samuel Barber set to his famous 'Adagio for Strings' has to be the slowest on record! - but this tendency further creates a sense of spaciousness found in the great old cathedrals of Europe.

For quality of sound and polish of performance this recording has already won awards. For the food for the soul that it provides there can be no greater 'award' than successfully fulfilling its promise as being Music for Inner Peace. Highly recommended. Grady Harp, August 05

Too much choral can tire, but it's still good........2005-05-05

If you enjoy choral music this offering of 16 choral arrangements, conducted by Harry Christophers for DECCA won't offend. Indeed, you might find it rather enjoyable. The selections from various composers capture the essence of the Renaissance-Baroque sound as well as any recording I have head. However, it can, like any steady diet of choral, overwhelm and drag one down as much as inspire. That's not a comment on the quality or selection of songs of this CD as much as an observation about the genre itself. So, this CD has its positives and negatives. One minus is the orchestral accompaniment. When used, "The Symphony of Harmony and Invention" tends to be weaker than I would have preferred when listening to this style of music. Sometimes a nice contrast can actually elevate the tone and texture of the human voice -- and when it's missing, its absence is noticed. You will note for example in Monteverdi's "Christie, Adoramus Te" the orchestration is underplayed - subtle, almost not perceptible. This becomes problematic throughout the recording. Some listeners will like it, some won't. One of the features of this CD that I did enjoy was the synopsis of each song that explains its origin and focus. The notations are brief and to the point, but helpful in guiding the listener along from selection to selection. As for mood, well it's hard to pinpoint exactly: these are hymnals meant for a specific place - not necessarily one's automobile or living room, and hence, a listener may find it difficult finding a place or right time in one's home. If, however, you are in the mood for choral music, and you close your eyes and let your senses flow freely while listening, you might just get carried to that proper place and find "Music for Inner Peace" your cup of tea. The selections are thematic and even in moodiness. I recommend it with the reminder that it is a steady diet of solemn choral. It can be both tedious as elevating.

Very relaxing!.......2005-04-27

I downloaded this album from iTunes, and I'm very glad I did. I was looking for some soothing music to play in the background while I try to grade papers, and this one did the trick. My favorite tracks are #2 and #5 -- both are beautiful songs.

If you like vocal music, particularly chamber-type music, then this CD is for you.

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