Song of Songs (Hybr) [Hybrid SACD - DSD, Import]

Stile Antico (Artist, Performer), Palestrina (Composer), Gombert (Composer), Lassus (Composer), Victoria (Composer), none (Conductor) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Stile Antico
• Conductor: none
• Composer: Palestrina, Gombert, Lassus, Victoria
• Audio CD (April 14, 2009)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Hybrid SACD - DSD, Import
• Label: Harmonia Mundi
• ASIN: B001NZA02O
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #42,088 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #36 in Music > Classical > Opera & Vocal > Vocal Non-Opera > Songs & Lieder > General

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

As the title suggests, this recording is a compilation of renaissance compositions using texts from the Song of Solomon, the biblical collection of love poetry, purportedly written by King Solomon to a Shulamite girl. Many groups have fished in this pool before, but Stile Antico's repertoire choices and exquisite program notes (written by Matthew O'Donovan, one of the basses) draw a well delineated link between the surge in medieval popularity and the suitability of these texts for the purposes of the Marian 'cult' that portrayed the Virgin Mary as the representation of the church as a whole. This album holds together as a concert and a concept better than any other attempt at this repertoire that I have heard but Stile Antico really set themselves apart when they perform. These musicians work without a conductor, which is common practice for chamber instrumentalists, but uncommon in a group of this size. Perilous as the concept might sound for a group of singers, I've never heard musicians present this repertoire with such a high level of commitment. This music has seldom been more engaging. -- Hugo Munday

Product Description

Song of Songs has already won the 2009 Gramophone Award for the Early Music. "This collection of settings by composers including Palestrina, Guerrero, Gombert, Victoria and Lassus of words from the biblical Song of Songs was a sumptuous and beautifully performed highlight of last year's choral releases. - Gramophone.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

64 of 69 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another wonderful recording, May 28, 2009

By 

Heather A. Teysko "heatherteyskodotcom" (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Song of Songs (Hybr) (Audio CD)

I'm embarrassed to say that I wasn't familiar with Stile Antico until a recent Harmonia Early Music podcast where Music for Compline, their other album, was recommended. By the end of the next hour, I had downloaded all three of their albums from emusic. If you are a fan of either early music, or chamber choirs, Stile Antico is another group that must be part of your regular rotation, taking a rightful spot next to the Sixteen, Tallis Scholars, etc.

The group works without a conductor, which means that they need to listen to each other much more carefully, and time themselves with each other rather than relying on direction from a leader. It makes the whole choir function much more as an organic living being rather than a series of parts going together.

I particularly like this album as there's a lot of under-recorded music on it - not the same old standby pieces that make up so many early choral albums.

37 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another winner for Stile Antico, April 15, 2009

By 

Cometkazie "Tom" (Centre, Ky, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Song of Songs (Hybr) (Audio CD)

A chance glance at Stile Antico's CD Music for Compline while browsing evoked a second look and subsequent purchase. It was immediately obvious upon listening that this group was special and this CD makes a superb trio.

Each of the ensembles performing this type of music has its own appeal to me. It seems to me I am better able to separate out the individual voices of this group. I don't know if this is due to the way it was recorded or of the ensemble itself, but I have no complaint.

The music is ravishingly beautiful. Do yourself a favor and purchase it.

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exquisite!, August 5, 2009

By 

Elizabeth H. Sims "Little Bird" (Lake Forest Park, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Song of Songs (Hybr) (Audio CD)

I was so impressed with the phenomenal sound bites that I heard on NPR, but the full length cd is absolutely out of this world! The music carries my spirit to a higher plane of existence. Very nice way to calm the soul while commuting. Helps me avoid road rage.