Tudor polyphony is music with enough strength, passion, beauty and drama to soar and inspire across the world. And on Friday night, with Stile Antico so cleanly expressive, so lithe, so well integrated and balanced, this wonderful repertoire had the world’s best possible ambassadors.

The a cappella performances are consistently beautiful and soothing throughout, and the quietly joyous mood of the music fits the album’s title perfectly.

A fine SACD from Stile Antico… glorious performances of works from church services from the Renaissance period.

Impeccable… The sinuous yearning of Clemens’s Agnus Dei is a triumph of fluid phrasing and dynamic shaping, and a reminder of the formidable credentials of this group.

Stile Antico presented the concert with their usual effortless brilliance… the music seems to form organically in the space between the twelve singers.

Beautiful voices, clear and honest engineering, and pretty package… no mystery about its appeal.

A consistently entertaining and often enlightening program… Hieronymus Praetorius’ Magnificat is one of the two special highlights, with its well-integrated tribute to the famous tune “In dulci jubilo” and some absolutely sublime singing… You won’t hear finer singing anywhere.

All selections are performed with that knowledgeable approach to Renaissance practices that has established and affirmed Stile Antico’s place in the early music community. However, their approach to expressiveness is anything but academically sterile.

This compilation disc is an ideal introduction to their work: both to their refreshing approach to programming and to the refined but vigorous quality of their sound.

There is no denying the quality of Stile Antico’s performances… This was a fascinating, meticulously researched and well designed programme.

The work’s final exultant pages, comparing the Virgin to the sun and moon, were a vivid demonstration of Stile Antico’s variety of tonal hues and sheer vocal power.

I can hardly emphasize it enough: Stile Antico is a remarkably capable ensemble that should be heard live.