Stile Antico

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Live Performances

The Kentish Gazette on Stile Antico’s Canterbury concert

'Musicus', Kentish Gazette

Has there ever been such extraordinary music making and such sublime sounds as those heard in the Cathedral Crypt presented by the world-acclaimed Stile Antico? The young British ensemble of 13 unaccompanied voices worked without conductor, working as chamber musicians, achieving a perfect ensemble, and presenting a programme of Renaissance music centred on composers pondering the end of life and beyond. Complex polyphonic works by amongst others, Lassus, Schutz, Dufay, Byrd and Sheppard were interpolated with the purity of plainsong.

This was extraordinary beauty, matching both the simplicty and complexity of the 12th century crypt. Here we were subject to music composed for places such as this and it was heavenly.The vocal techniques of Stile Antico were equally remarkable, maintaining perfect tuning through all pieces even when performing Sheppard’s Media Vita lasting 25 minutes. Long phrases were sung with focus and poise, diction was immaculate, balance perfect, expression lucid. It is a very long time since hearing such magical choral singing in such a fitting setting.