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Part of the Schola’s ‘Sacred Treasures’ series for Hyperion records, this CD, recorded on the eve of the lockdowns, includes sacred motets for Christmas, Epiphany and Candlemas, including masterpieces by Sweelinck, Lassus and Clemens. This beautiful polyphonic repertoire can be heard on Saturdays at the London Oratory when the Schola sings for the evening Vigil Mass.
‘An absolutely heavenly sound. There is purity in the tone, exquisite balance across the voices, and a magical empathy with this programme of 15th and 16th century polyphonic motets which set texts relevant to the seasons of Christmas, Epiphany and Candlemas… a sound which is both deeply satisfying and infinitely stimulating. If only every disc of Christmas music was this distinguished in content and performance quality’ (MusicWeb International)
‘The effect is impressively mature and well blended, the bright, sweet top-line sound balanced to and shaped by the lighter lower voices. You can hear their flexibility in the contrast between Scheidt’s Puer natus in Bethlehem and Sweelinck’s double-choir Hodie Christus natus est, the disc’s arresting opener—all fizz and crisp, forward delivery—and Mouton’s Nesciens mater, its cloudy skeins of counterpoint drifting in the air like incense, the trebles softening the edges of their sound, allowing much more breath to flow through it… if the Christmas collection is typical of things to come, this should be an interesting project to keep an eye on’ (Gramophone)
‘A feast of Renaissance repertoire is featured, ranging from the ringing carillons of Sweelinck's Hodie Christus natus est to the searching introspection of Victoria's O magnum mysterium. The 50-strong Oratory choir is made up entirely of boys, and conductor Charles Cole draws singing of vernal freshness from them, with excellent ensemble and an interpretive awareness that puts many an adult choir in the shadow. This is a warmly recommended recording’ (BBC Music Magazine)
‘Beautifully sung … strongly recommended’ (Classic FM)