ALL my choices this year are life-enhan­cing, but this one hits the heights of exal­ta­tion with some of Palestrina’s most inspired music… this beau­ti­ful CD seems the per­fect way to cel­eb­rate both Stile Antico’s 20th anniversary and Palestrina’s quin­centen­ary.

Few efforts will be better than these extremely nuanced and structurally aware performances by the vocal group Stile Antico.

Stile Antico sings this complex yet elegantly polished music with the group’s usual combination of lushness and focus, stillness and energy, bringing expression and nuance to what can sometimes slip into coolly uniform gorgeousness. 

No matter how elaborate the counterpoint, there are no hesitations, no rough edges.

“Byrd will never sound better than this… the singers capture perfectly the sheer beauty of Byrd’s musical vision.”

Retire my soul [has] a fond, Werther’s Original hue that goes on to infuse the whole programme… a deeply moving performance of his Mass for Four Voices… some of the richest singing I have heard from this ensemble.

Stile Antico tackles the sophisticated counterpoint with the flawless technique we have come to expect… with constantly changing colour and intensity which lend the prayers a deeply human urgency.

One of the great interpreters… The disc explores the music of Byrd’s last years with purity, clarity, and a beautiful balance.

Outstanding… sung with Stile Antico’s familiar blend of warmth, clarity and responsiveness to text.

As a wide-ranging introduction to one of the greatest of English composers, this starts Byrd’s anniversary year in some style.

Stile Antico splendidly showcase Byrd’s intense imagination, exuberance and general magnificence… tonal variety, expressive warmth and terrific ensemble panache.

Two laments on the death of Josquin… provide a fitting and stirring conclusion to this compelling recording.