Acclaimed Dutch singers perform beautifully the unaccompanied choral works of Britten. Since their debut in 1978 the ensemble has finely-crafted its bright, clear, rich a cappella sound, applying it with great success to compositions from Renaissance, Baroque, Romantic and even folk origins. Quink's take on master vocal composer Benjamin Britten is unusual in that they perform works written for choir and unaccompanied chorus, shedding new light on them with the intimacy and clarity of their interpretations. Beginning with "Hymn to St. Cecelia, OP. 27" (1942) and "Five Flower Songs, OP. 47" (1950) and continuing through the eight Medieval lyrics of "Sacred and Profane, OP. 91" (1975, a year before Britten's death), these songs give us a new appreciation of Britten, and of course of Quink, one of the best classical choral quintets in the world! Recommended. |