Sheppard: Media Vita

"The Tallis Scholars' latest release focuses on the music of John Sheppard, a lesser known and, as Peter Phillips points out, largely underrated contemporary of the group's namesake, Thomas Tallis. The centrepiece for this recording is the work that gives it its title. Media vita, an extended and highly elaborate setting of the poignant respond 'In the midst of life we are in death'.

"For this, Phillips uses the edition prepared by Wulstan, although for most of the other works the choir sing from his own versions. He follows Wulstan in adopting the very high pitch that enhances probably the single most striking aspect of Sheppard's sound-world, the stratospheric writing for the trebles. The ear is irresistibly drawn to, and captivated by, the ethereal sound of these very high voices weaving their florid - though often chant-based - lines over the falserelation- flecked counterpoint below. The trebles here - Tessa Bonner, Ruth Holton and Deborah Roberts - deserve to be singled-out not only for the seemingly effortless, absolutely pure tone they produce, but also for their sensitive and sophisticated shaping of line.

"Indeed, the choir as a whole convey perfectly the ebb and flow of Sheppard's polyphony in performances as refreshing and calming as the effect of water cascading down the side of a lakeland fell. The overall balance is generally good (the full chords that mark the end of important sections are wonderfully resonant), the lower voices providing a solid - though not inexpressive - foundation for the soaring flights of fantasy above. Personally, I find the countertenor sound a little too edgy; although it does give definition to that strand of the texture it is occasionally a little overbearing. The acoustic of the Norfolk church, now favoured by The Tallis Scholars for their recordings, is lively and clear, and contributes an aura of timelessness, especially to the chant.

"While Media vita is probably the most striking piece on the recording (it will surely realize Phillips's hopes of confirming Sheppard's stature as a composer), the other, generally less ambitious settings of hymns and responds are no less imaginative and well constructed. I was particularly struck by the simple but effective settings of In manus tuas which here receive marvellously contemplative performances with a gentle, withdrawn quality that complements the liturgical function and meaning of the text and contrasts well with the more direct accounts of the surrounding items on the disc. This is a record you will want to listen to again and again."

Tess Knighton (Gramophone, January 1990)