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Reviewer: William
J. Gatens This recording presents a selection of English sacred polyphony from John Dunstable (c1390-1453) to Thomas Tomkins (1572-1656). As director Owain Park says in his notes, the works are not given in chronological order, but arranged as a concert program balancing tempo and character for an effective sequence. The term “motet” has become something of a catch-all for any sacred vocal polyphony other than settings of the Mass Ordinary. The earliest music on the program is Dunstable’s ‘Veni Sancte Spiritus’, a late example of the medieval polytextual motet. Other works include an alternatim office hymn, responsories, antiphons, and English anthems in addition to stand-alone settings of Latin texts.
The Gesualdo Six is a vocal consort formed in 2014 to perform Carlo Gesualdo’s Tenebrae responsories in the chapel of Trinity College, Cambridge, where this recording was made. Owain Park is their director and sings with them. They have performed extensively in the UK and the European continent. The works here are sung by one voice to a part, from three to seven parts. The ensemble is tight, the intonation nearly flawless, and there are many amazing examples of vocal control in slow and sustained lines. Penitential texts predominate, and the treatment is sensitively nuanced and expressive. There is a notable contrast in William Byrd’s ‘Vigilate’, where the vocal tone is more aggressive and the animated word painting comes close to raucous. That is the exception here. On the whole, these are remarkably refined and thoughtful performances by a superbly matched consort of young male voices. Connoisseurs of first-rate ensemble singing will be delighted. | ||||
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