Ars Nova Copenhagen
Paul Hillier, conductor


This CD is one of a pair of recordings from Ars Nova Records featuring a Mass by John Taverner and a selection of works by other English composers from the same era - the second CD features his Gloria Tibi Trinitas Mass.
The main work on this CD, Taverner¹s Western Wind Mass, is a series of brilliant choral variations based on a secular tune; it is fittingly interspersed with a selection of spiritual partsongs from the same period.

Resultatet er overvældende. Både som solister og som ensemble dækker de 16 sangere en enorm spændvidde, og det er der brug for i denne musik, hvor hårfin udtryksfuldhed og satsteknisk virtuositet falder sammen.
(Morgenavisen Jyllandsposten)

The first-rate Danish vocal ensemble Ars Nova offers one of the most sonorous, sensitively balanced, and interpretively satisfying renditions of John Taverner´s Western Wind Mass to appear on disc.
(10/10 Classics Today)

I denne fortolkning står de svævende linjer i det polyfone mønster med overbevisende kraft et klingende rum
(Dansk Musik Tidsskrift 10/2006)

Fantastisk musik fra før Tallis, Byrd og alle de andre, og så er det udført utroligt delikat. Skarpheden i intonationen er en fornøjelse,..og man får lyst til at sætte cd´en på repeat.
(Musikeren, 10/2006)

An energetic Western Wynde Mass tops the bill with Ars Nova on fine form
(Gramophone, 11/2006)

Det er vokalkunst uden knaster, fornemt forløst af en trimmet vokalgruppe.
(***** Klassisk, Thomas Michelsen)

Hillier turns the choir into a true theatre of voices, with some startling results
(**** BBC Music Magazine, 11/2006)

Ars Nova Copenhagen produces a polished choral sound in this fine a cappella recording of sacred works by John Taverner and other 16th century English composers of the Tudor period. ...The overall effect is lovely.
(San Francisco Chronicle)

This is a strong and vital performance of the Taverner Western Wind Mass; it is driven, flowing and vigorous, and the thread is never dropped.
(***** Goldbergweb.com)
Credits
Recorded in St. Pauls Church, Copenhagen, 19-24 July 2004

Recording producer: Preben Iwan
Sound engineer: Preben Iwan

Graphic design: Denise Burt