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Sonata Arctica: Takatalvi (2004) Finnish progressive metal. SAMPLES Cheers,Robin Exclusively heard on Hard Drive
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
Some aspects of being human must be "transhistorical," according to Christopher Page; sustained exposure to the music of the past opens a window onto how past humans experienced that music. Page has devoted a prolific corner of his life to using music to bridge the historical gap between human beings: Gothic Voices, the vocal ensemble he has directed since its founding in 1980. The group, clearly one of the world's leaders in the performance of medieval music, gives concerts quite frequently in England, as well as continental Europe, America, and Canada; their close relationship with Hyperion Records has resulted in nearly twenty critically-acclaimed recordings (and no less than three Gramophone Awards). Spanning musics from Hildegard of Bingen to the turn of the sixteenth century, they consistently present music of outstanding quality, with the highest standards of performance. Their vocal sound is a conscious blend of "scrupulously accurate" tuning, sensitive phrasing, careful rhythmic articulation, and a bright and clear vocal production.
LP
Hey Bill, If you like the Little Games record, you should check out the 2-CD set. Lots of extra stuff.Currently Listening To:Andrew Manze & Rachel Podger - Bach Violin Concertos
Ouch!!!http://www.amazon.com/Little-Games-Sessions-More-Yardbirds/dp/B000008MIQ
We Concentrate may demand much of its listeners, but it ultimately delivers the goods for those with open ears. Wiesendanger, Weber and Ulrich have managed to combine the free-flowing, contrapuntal soloing of the classic Bill Evans trio, the ecstatic leaps and playfulness of Keith Jarrett's groups and the postmodern hipness of Medeski, Martin & Wood. Highly recommended.
