Motets

"It was from recordings made by King's under David Willcocks that, like many others, I got to know Byrd's music ... The new King's recording compares well both with earlier King's recordings and with other cathedral and collegiate choirs ... The music of the English composers of the earlier renaissance may appeal with its more spectacular vocal gymnastics, but Byrd's music with its slightly plainer style, like the later music of his mentor Tallis, has its own appeal in performances of this quality ... This latest in the series of King's recordings on their own label is very successful and would make as wonderful an introduction to Byrd as the Willcocks LPs did in their day".

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"The Choir of King's College, Cambridge, and the Renaissance composer William Byrd are undeniably icons of English music. It is a delight, therefore, to hear them united in these surprisingly exuberant performances ... Throughout this disc, Cleobury opts for an upfront expressivity quite at odds with that classic, old King's sound, leading to some very exciting moments ... The sound of the horal scholars - fuller, richer and bolder than ever before - pays many dividends".

"Those favouring sonic beauty above all else will find The Deer's Cry an essential addition. Larger forces and fuller voices give The Sixteen a textural depth Stile Antico and The Tallis Scholars neither seek nor attain, thickening the sound without obscuring the architectural workings of these complex pieces of polyphony ... It's hard to wish greater restraint of such glorious singing".

"A choir who [can] sing with the splendour, intelligence and assurance we hear from it in this recital: Surely, on this showing, one of the country's best ... The programme is well chosen to illustrate different aspects of Byrd's mastery ... It is a superb record".