Customer Reviews

Music for Compline

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One is somewhat spoilt for choice these days when it comes to recordings of specialist 'early music' vocal ensembles. In Britain alone, 'brand' names such as 'The Sixteen' and 'The Tallis Scholars', however different their respective approach, have become equally synonymous with excellence in ensemble, intonation, balance and blend. On this basis alone, one might be forgiven for mistaking this CD for another release from one of these fine, long-established choirs. However, this debut recording from 'Stile Antico' has something rather distinctive and individual to offer the listener. Working as a vocal consort without conductor, these are performances born out of an internal commitment and universal understanding within the group, together with an obvious love for this repertoire which they perform so admirably. It is deeply refreshing, in a professional environment where 'time is money', to hear an ensemble who have so noticeably spent a great deal of time 'living' with the music, no doubt both as individuals and collectively as a group. This crucial element of music-making, so often over-looked, is perhaps above all what makes this recording stand out. In fairness, the result is not necessarily superior to that of a conducted ensemble, where a different style of direction in the performances can be attained. But whatever one's preferences - 'Stile Antico' have certainly achieved a winning combination - communicative performances which are simultaneously meditative and emotionally uplifting.

Impeccable ensemble is evident throughout the disc, and this is especially impressive when accomplished within various well-judged slow tempi. Highlights in this regard include a wonderfully ethereal and sonorous performance of Tallis' rarely heard seven-part 'Miserere nostri', and Sheppard's intoxicating 'Libera nos I & II' whose marvellous longing dissonances are given just the right amount of time to register. Byrd's 'Miserere mihi' also receives a fine performance, and the same composer's exquisite homophonic setting of 'Christe lux es et dies' serves to demonstrate these singers' aptitude for naturally shaped phrasing and beautifully paced cadences.

The programming is cohesive throughout, combining familiar, celebrated settings with some rare gems, notably Hugh Aston's giant antiphon 'Gaude, virgo mater Christi', of which this is the first recording made available on CD.

Congratulations are also due to Harmonia Mundi for their superb recording quality, which captures splendidly not only the clarity of the voices, but also the magnificent acoustics of All Hallow's, Gospel Oak. Beautiful packaging together with intelligent, informative programme notes completes this excellent debut release.

I got an e-mail from amazon recently to the effect of, "We've noticed that you've rated so-and-so, so we thought you'd be interested in the new release Music for Compline." I usually ignore such e-mails, but I thought I'd check it out. I was intrigued by the audio samples and so downloaded the album on iTunes.

I don't know how a group of young upstarts from Britain without a conductor were able to produce such a sound, but they did. "Music for Compline" focuses on music from composers in England during the transition from Catholicism to Protestantism- Byrd, Sheppard, Tallis, etc.- and as the title implies, it's music that would have been used during a compline service at the time. Compline, for those of you not familiar with the Liturgy of the Hours, is the last prayer service in the liturgical day. As such, the music is serene, contemplative, and prayerful.

The way Stile Antico has gelled as a group is amazing, especially considering they have no conductor. (Although they surely have at least a de-facto rehearsal leader) Their sound is clear and beautiful, and they display exquisite musicianship without being overly technical or icy. They are able to share their fresh (though informed) perspectives on early music with each other to create an organic sound, so not having a conductor actually turns out to be an asset for these young musicians.

Fans of the Tallis Scholars will love this CD. Arguably, Stile Antico is better than the Tallis Scholars in some ways. To elaborate, the Tallis Scholars, as good as they are, can come across as technical and icy, whereas Stile Antico never does, at least not to my ears. On the contrary, they have a warm, authentic sound. Not that I have anything against the Tallis Scholars.

In conclusion, for everyone who loves sacred choral music, or beautiful music in general, "Music for Compline" is a must-have. The musical serenity will be a refuge from stress, and will uplift your spirits.

If the Beach Boys at their most sublime (say on Don't Worry Baby or Let Him Run Wild) or their artistic model, The Four Freshmen, doubled their forces and then sang their most ravishing harmonies in a perfect acoustic venue recorded with the latest multichannel technology, one might have some idea of what Stile Antico has achieved on this gorgeous recording. They have recorded a program of 16th and 17th century polyphony written by England's finest composers of the era for the office of Compline, the last of the daily monastic hours and a lovely form of prayer for the night. The composers include John Sheppard, William Byrd, Thomas Tallis, Robert White and Hugh Aston. Interspersed are various examples of plainchant, which serve to highlight the complexity and heighten the beauty of the composed pieces.

All of the music on this disc essentially comes from the Catholic sphere of 16th century England, a time of great religious turmoil during those pre-Reformation days. The pieces recorded here were written while religous strife roiled England. Church music was profoundly impacted by the oscillating religious beliefs that were variously associated with the late liturgical Catholicism of Henry VIII (despite his break with Rome in 1534), the puritanical Protestanism under the young Edward VI, the fervent return to Catholicism of Queen Mary (in which she burned at the stake those Protestants who stood against her and reinstated the elaborate music and ceremonies of the old Catholic rites) and the moderate Protestanism of Elizabeth, which continues to define Anglicanism to this day. These pieces were not all written under the rule of a Catholic monarch. Subtle differences can be heard with careful and sensitive listening. The Reformed church eventually did away with Compline, enfolding it into Evensong.

A substantial portion of the Service of Compline consists of a number of antiphons, responsories and a hymn as well as psalms recited to plainsong. Compline varied significantly less than the other monastic hours according to the season. There is a real sense of continuity amongst these beautiful pieces. As performed by Stile Antico, it is as if they were the individual movements of one aesthetically unified vocal symphony. That makes this recording incomparably more beautiful, and much more pleasing to the intellect. This disc represents Stile Antico's debut for Harmonia Mundi. They had previously collaborated with Sting on his Songs from the Labyrinth Dowland project, performing his brilliant Elizabethan era lute songs. The present disc has won numerous awards and it's easy to see why. The sound of the CD is absolutely resplendent, with great immediacy and presence. The recording venue (All Hallows Gospel Oak in London) has a warm, reverberant sound that lends an air of mystery to the recording.

This is a superb recording of Renaissance vocal music from a new, young group. If you like this sort of music, you will enjoy this greatly. Strongly recommended.

Mike Birman

The English Tudor choral composers such as Byrd and Tallis composed some glorious music. Sit and listen in a darkened room and you will be transported back to another time and place. Wonderfully atmospheric and moving. The masters of this repertoire are Peter Phillips's Tallis Scholars, but this CD makes me think that they have some serious competition.

I'm not a student of fine music and had no idea what a "compline" was but I bought this CD after hearing a review on NPR.
I can't tell you how much I love this!
It is pure and moving; I can turn off my thinking and let my mind soak in the beauty.
I regret that it is such a high-class work, as I fear that many will miss it, expecting it to be over their heads. I hope that more of my fellow low-brows will somehow stumble upon it and have a chance to experience these most-excellent moments.

This is a must-have cd for anyone who enjoys music from the Renaissance period. The pieces are flawlessly performed by a terrific ensemble.

The chromaticism of some of the selections foreshadows the 20th century, while most of the music is pure choral sweetness. The harmonic rhythm is always interesting and often unpredictable.

The singers perform with liquid tones and impeccable intonation. The balance of the harmonic and textural lines is just right. These pieces are wonderfully satisfying.

Highly recommended!

a bit of heaven compressed in a compact disc best describes this absolutely ethereal work

Having read the superlative reviews of this CD and, in particular, the unanimous praise for this group of singers, Stile Antico, I was afraid that my expectations would be too great. Instead, I was entirely pleased. The choice of selections and the quality of the production are praiseworthy. Most of all, for me, it is such a pleasure to 'discover' a new group of singers specializing in this genre. They are superb and worthy of all the praise they're getting. No doubt, they will become very much a part of the early music/sacred music scene and their future CDs will be very much anticipated. This CD can be recommended with no reservations.

I am in no way an expert on this music era or genre or whatever. But I do know what I like and admire. This CD is stunningly beautiful, impressively crafted, simply a wonderful work of art from any angle you choose to look at it. Lovely, calming, good for reading music and at work.

This is an amazing album, particularly to one unused to the form or the era. Listening with "fresh ears," untainted by more traditional recordings of the works, I was astonished at the ability of the singers to create wonderful harmonies, soothing transitions, and yet articulate the words so clearly that they could be understood. The music itself transcends its time and space, and can speak to us now. The performances were superb.