John Rutter directs the 28-strong Cambridge Singers in the inspiring setting of the Lady Chapel of Ely Cathedral, gathering together 23 examples of English sacred a cappella choral music drawn from several centuries. Some pieces, such as the Taverner "Christe Jesu, pastor bone," or the Howells' "Nunc dimittis," were written for the Catholic liturgy; most of the English anthems were for the Anglican rite; but such pieces as Tomkins' "When David heard," Morley's "Nolo mortem peccatoris" and Amner's "Come, let's rejoice" were probably intended for domestic performance. In all cases, the beauty of the music transcends ancient politics and the years themselves, as it always must! |
