#fromthevault
Our #fromthevault series features Magnificat recordings that were never released, together with brief commentary from Philip Cave. There are some real gems that we’re pleased to be able to share, and a new track will be posted each month. Enjoy!
March 2024
“There are several lavish standalone settings of the Crucifixus section of the Mass: Antonio Lotti’s versions for 6, 8 and 10 voices are well known, but Antonio Caldara’s setting for 16 voices is Lotti on steroids! Its angular melody passes from one voice to the next amid a constant stream of suspensions. Advisory: it’s not the best example of Lenten abstinence…but it is a fabulous piece.”
February 2024
“Byrd's Ad Dominum cum tribularer is a sumptuous 8-part setting of Psalm 120 which I first sang with David Wulstan and the Clerkes of Oxenford. As a choral scholar, I had always enjoyed that little ripple of glee when a juicy false-relation came along, but Ad Dominum was something else! The fiery text inspired Byrd to some glorious dissonant pile-ups with the simultaneous sounding of major vs. minor harmonies.”