Supersize polyphony

"When ensembles combine, the results aren't always harmonious, but the Caius Choir and the Armonico Consort sound as though they are singing from the same hymn sheet in every conceivable way. The direction is clear and the results are exciting. Furthermore, the recorded balance is very good, allowing the different lines to sound as clean and distinct as it's possible to do for 40 parts in two-channel stereo. Excellent as the performance is, it's the structure of the programme that really makes this disc win as something to take in at one sitting. Full texts and translations are included in the notes. This is worthy to put alongside I Fagiolini, a disc that's every bit as likeable and enjoyable on its own terms".

Read review

"Vurdering: IRR outstanding" - "This is massive. Decca has been throwing money at this project like there's no recession, and after years ignoring the choral domain, it's a triumphant return ... An importan and outstanding release".

"Hervé Niquet and Le Concert Spirituel opt for a fatter, bolder sonority, with 40 singers supported by over a dozen instrumentalists playing cornetts ... this disc certainly merits my personal accolade".

"The two assembled choirs turn in one of the fastest Spems I can recall, and none the worse for it, though the contrapuntal detail as the choirs come to a standstill on the final chord gets lost in the wall of sound. That aside, these are workmanlike performances".