Renaissance: Music for Inner Peace

First off, the title of this album is misleading. Only one of the tracks stems from the high Renaisance. The rest span from the Reformation period to contemporary. All of them are liturgical, all of a certain calm and meditative style--which could be inferred from the subtitle: "Music for Inner Peace."But those are quibbles. The voices are excellent. The direction impeccable. The recording technique outstanding. And the program--given its self-immposed limitations of peaceful liturgical pieces--is very good. It was a stroke of programming genius to put the "miserere" of Gregorio Allegri (1582-1652) back to back with the "agnus dei" of Samuel Barber (1910-1981). The untrained ear might think the two pieces contemporary, even from the same composer, but for one trained in this genre of music, the differences of nuance are delightful and exhilirating.I tend to prefer complete works, and listening through this album I sometimes wished for some livelier moments, but those quibbles aside, I am happy to assign a full five stars to this excellent recording. One of the advantages of a potpourri album such as this is that one gets to hear works from composers who might otherwise escape notice.

No question this is a great recital of spiritual nature, performed marvelously by The Sixteen.But I am quite surprised not one person writing reviews recognized one major flaw: there is NO POULENC’s 'Salve Regina'. The piece, which lasts approximately four minutes, would have ben perfect in this line-up, adding a contemporary taste to proceedings. So I was shocked when I heard some renaissance piece with organ and brass, quite different from everything that had gone before. My guess? It's Andrea Gabrieli. But frankly, I don't feel like double checking. It lasts 9'27, not 4'13.A disgraceful mistake, yet, no one noticed!

I put renaissance and baroque music at the top of my favorites.It was a plus to hear a sample of the music. Maybe I'm a little picky but there are several incredibly high, almost painful notes which take away from any value for meditation. That aside, it is a lovely CD. And who can resist a cover by Botticelli?

Clear, precise and joyous: a fine collection of great music, each piece with its own significant contribution to the history of the first art.

If you like really good choral music check out The Sixteen. Very balanced sound and interesting mix of music.

I play this cd around the house and feel more peaceful as I go about my busy days. Love it.

Nice selection, but it was not as "relaxing" as I would have expected. It would be good for ambiance music, though.

Spiritual selections from mostly the Renaissance period, with four selections from modern composers.

This is a truly delightful CD, I am not going to be bored with this one. It is a mix of different composers, but this does not matter. It is absolutely soothing, and can be used for meditation. I am looking forward to letting my almost 3yr.old grandson listen to this. He responds well to choral music, and indeed sings to himself. I used to play classical music (radio mostly) for his mother when she was very small, and it worked a treat to getting her off to sleep, or just ly in her cot and listen. By the time she was 5 she asked "to play one of those" - a violin; which she did. Well worth purchasing.

I certainly needed some inner peace trying to work out how to download this onto my MP3 player.......the joys of technology!This album was the reward for my perseverance and I indeed felt wonderfully peaceful once I finally got there. The voices are beautiful, the music is beautiful and the album cover is beautiful.....what more could one ask for. :)!

i am not a religious person and actually bought this cd for my wife,BUT, just listen and allow the beauty of the voices to carry you away,forget the washing up !!the purists insist that a lot of the music is not renaissance and that is true but when it is as beautiful as this who cares ??

I really enjoyed this CD, I put it on in the car whilst making a long journey and found it rewarding listening. Good selection of fine choral work from Alligheri to Barber, with Tallis and Byrd amongst our English composers. I would highly recommend adding to a collection.

There is nothing to add if you are a fan of Harry Christopher's Sixteen. The line up changes, but the sound is pure magic, If you are a member of a choir, the Sixteen will usually have recorded the composition to show how it should be done.