These classics of the ‘a cappella’ choral repertoire were originally issued on Decca’s Argo (re)incarnation and are sumptuously recorded.

A wonderful collection of meditative choral music, spearheaded by Allegri’s ubiquitous ‘Miserer’e with works by other Renaissance composers, including the magnificent Spem in Alium by Thomas Tallis, performed here by two of the foremost British choirs under the direction of two of Britain’s leading choral conductors.

Precursor to the Baroque era, the Renaissance period in music is generally placed around 1430-1600. This collection brings together both ‘learned’ as well as ‘dance’ music and interspersing the two forms on this compilation encapsulates the spirit of this rich period, stretching from anonymous compositions to the late works of William Byrd with their close […]

Westminster Abbey is a royal church, founded in 1065 by King Edward the Confessor, who was buried in the original Norman building only a few days after its consecration. Almost exactly two centuries later, in 1269, his body was ‘translated’ or removed to its present resting-place in the shrine east of the High Altar. It […]

Roy Goodman’s recording of the Allegri Miserere (in David Willcocks’ edition, sung in English) was its first, made in March 1963. Although reissued countless times, the complete Argo recording from which it emanates – Evensong for Ash Wednesday – has never before been released complete. Consisting of hymns, psalms and readings, this is a regular […]

‘Once, As I Remember…’ is John Eliot Gardiner’s recreation of the story of Christmas based on the Springhead Christmas Play. A nativity play made up of music, speech, dance and mime took place almost every Christmas in the Millroom at Springhead, home of the Gardiner family in Fontmell Magna, Dorset. The actors were school-children, farmers, […]

The Fitzwilliam Virginal Book is one of the most important collections of keyboard music of the 16th century. Recorded to accompany the Folio Society’s publication, ‘Music at Court’ (also written by Christopher Hogwood), this collection was imaginatively distributed to the Society’s members, together with suitable vintages to accompany the literary titles. To suit the music – […]