Directed by Sir David Willcocks, The Choir of King's College, Cambridge was founded in 1441 by Henry VI, who wanted the daily services in his chapel to be provided with music, and stipulated that the college should be responsible for the education of the choristers. This is a 2-CD set featuring a selection of the Choir's most renowned recordings. CD 1 includes Gregorio Allegri's "Miserere," Palestrina's "Stabet Mater," Tallis' "Spem in allium," Wm. Byrd's "Ave Verum Corpus" and the 12 movements of Vivaldi's "Gloria in D Major, RV 589." CD 2 has Orlando Gibbons' "This is the record of John," the 11 movements of Bach's "Jesu, priceless treasure," and 12 Coronation Anthems by Handel, "Zadok the Priest," "My heart is inditing," "Let thy hand be strengthened" and "The King shall rejoice." This collection is a triumph, as soaring and angelically beautiful as you can imagine, performed by a choir whose excellence has remained focused and constant through the changing centuries. Some accompaniment. |