Including Ralph Vaughan Williams' great Mass in G minor.His Mass is an interesting combination of Romantic ideals and plainchant, all set without accompaniment.
The rest of the program is a mix of folk song arrangements, sacred motets, and secular poetic choral settings. And it is all quite beautiful.
I was not familiar with the choral ensemble Laudibus, nor its director Mike Brewer. Each contribute ably to Vaughan Williams' lyrical attributes.
A review from 2023
A
mix of secular music and the sacred, the 17-member British chamber
choir Laudibus explores a cappella choral music from composer Ralph
Vaughan Williams.
The big news here is RVW’s Mass in G Minor, a
20th Century a cappella masterpiece. The work looks firmly backwards in
time towards the Renaissance, but is also fully 20th Century. This
recording sets itself apart by using a fairly small singing ensemble,
while also clearly delineating the double chorus and additional
semi-chorus of soloists sonically. Despite the cathedral acoustic, the
rhythms are remarkably brought out.
The other well-known, notable
works are secular: Ca’ the Yowes, Greensleeves, and Three Shakespeare
Songs. I consider the latter another small masterpiece, highlighting
VW’s vivid harmonies and ability with text settings.
I was
previously unfamiliar with Souls of the Righteous, Silence and Music,
Love is a Sickness, and Heart’s Music. Souls and Silence make a strong
impression, giving some victoriousness amongst a program mainly
containing lyrical, mellifluous attributes. The other motets and
partsongs come and go pleasantly.
The soloists come from within
the ensemble, complementing the mixed adult choral sound. Laudibus is
very good with balances and tuning, and Mike Brewer leads the group with
notable impulse. This is also a very natural-sounding recording; no
boosting the bass for added choral effect.
Performers
Laudibus
Mike Brewer, conductor
Label: Delphian
Year: 2008
Timing: 64.00
I doubt anyone would complain about another recording of Vaughan Williams' Mass in G minor. It is a beautiful work, one which can test the skills of any choral ensemble.
Mike Brewer leading Laudibus do a lovely job, and the rest of the program comes off pretty well too.
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