Music From the Sistine Chapel

Editor's Choice Gramophone Magazine May 2007

"Surprises and rarities abound here, with little-heard Anerio and Marenzio among others. It's great to see The Sixteen taking their large fanbase on a daring journey of discovery. They come up trumps with works, and performances, which reflect the majesty and artistic ambition of the august venue from which this music was drawn."
(Gramophone)

Recorded in November 2006, this disc offers a fascinating collection of works written for the Papal Chapel. Researched and sung by one of the world's leading choirs, The Sixteen and Harry Christophers, this recording includes many world premiere recordings of these rarely heard sacred works. Felice Anerio displays a fluid mastery of the Roman style of composition, and some of his surviving settings are shown to advantage here, in particular his glorious twelve-part setting of Stabat Mater, more ambitious and possibly more beautiful than those by Palestrina and Lassus. Gregorio Allegri is famous for his Miserere (available on coro as cor16014); this recording contains representative examples of his polyphonic style. Together with settings by the towering figure of Palestrina, all receive warm and vital performances.
Editor's Choice Gramophone Magazine May 2007