Hear My Words - Choral Classics from St. John's SACD Chandos
This is a SACD that might be considered not so important before finding out which compositions are included. Among the pieces performed by the St John’s College Choir of Cambridge directed by Andrew Netshingha , there are Gregorio Allegri’s Miserere and many other pieces for choir composed by Arvo Pärt, Grieg, Rachmaninoff, Pierluigi da Palestrina, Thomas Tallis, Vaughan Williams and others. The SACD was published in 2010 by Chandos and can be found easily. In my opinion the masterpiece is the unparalleled Miserere Mei Deus by Allegri, a classic of roman sacred music composed in the 17th century. The Pope ordered to perform this piece solely in the Sixtin Chapel with the aim to preserve its unicity. Its transcription was interdicted and the punishment for those that disobeyed was excommunication. Mozart, at the age of 14 went on a pilgrimage to Rome just to have the chance to listen to it. On dit that he transcripted it afterwards by memory. The performance in this CD is very close to perfection. A short time ago I had the chance to listen to a live performance of Tallis Scholars. They are considered the best performers of this musical genre. These two performances are different because in the SACD there are white voices while Tallis uses no white voices. Anyhow It is impossible to chose between the two because they are both at the highest level. The other compositions included in this recording are very pleasant and the 77 minutes of listening literally fly away. Rachmaninoff’s composition is a nice surprise and all the other pieces are appropriate and nicely chosen. The recording performed in the chapel of St. John’s College is up to Chandos high standard. The repeat of the choir is just perfect and the “ sound of the church” is greatly recreated. And now just close your eyes, relax and enjoy music ...
