Byrd: The Great Service

"There is something profoundly moving in the calm, sublime a cappella choral music of William Byrd, especially as found in his 'Great Service' (circa 1580). The quiet interplay of straight-toned voices, the haunting, floating suspensions, and the delicate word painting are all evidence of Byrd's intense talent and devotion, and of the divine possibilities of the human voice.

"Such immaculate music cries for equally immaculate treatment, and it most certainly gets it on this triple digital disc from Gimell.

"Although The Tallis Scholars place women on upper parts originally sung by boys, the choral sound is utterly convincing. The high, straight-tone voices are clear but not shrill, and the blend between parts is almost seamless. Intonation throughout the disc - especially on the final chords of 'Venite' and 'Benedictus' - is breathtaking.

"This music requires extreme subtlety and control. The balance between voices must be maintained while still emphasizing individual lines. The long, arching phrases should be powerful yet restrained, avoiding any Romantic tendencies. Director Peter Phillips achieves this balancing act with steady-handed grace. The phrases rise and fall in each vocal line as they weave from part to part.

"The sonics of The Great Service are the icing on this cake. The wonderful acoustics of the Church of St John at Hackney, London, give an ambience and ring to the voices without excessive echo. Careful microphone placement presents the dual choirs distinctly but not disjointedly - separate but not too separate. And the vast dynamic range and frequency response of the digital recording captures the performance without compression or harshness."

Performance 10, Sound Quality 10 AT (Digital Audio, USA, October 1987)