DCD34102-CD

Mozart: ‘Coronation’ Mass, Vespers, Ave verum corpus

Tewkesbury Abbey Schola Cantorum of Dean Close Preparatory School are joined by Charivari Agréable in vividly communicative interpretations of three of Mozart’s sacred masterpieces.

The forces are very much as Mozart intended – a period orchestra, an all-male chorus and soloists (including 2009 BBC Chorister of the Year Laurence Kilsby) drawn from the choir. Under Benjamin Nicholas’s spirited direction, these performances bristle with energy and the invigorating freshness of youth.

"[Kilsby] makes a very strong showing in his important solos. His tone is sweet and his voice is graceful in the Agnus Dei of the Mass, nigh-on perfect in the Laudate Dominum of the Vespers."

"Tewkesbury Abbey Schola Cantorum's solo treble, Laurence Kilsby, has a mature voice with a hint of quasi-operatic 'wobble'; he combines well with the adult soloists. The choir are full of the abandon of this delicious music and the small-scale period-instrument band Charivari Agreable accompany most agreeably (fantastic gunshot timps!)...The comprehensive and charming packaging puts the Tewkesbury lads centre stage, which is precisely where they should be."

"The attraction of this CD lies partly in the combination of three of Mozart’s most sublime sacred works...and partly in the innocent sound of the trebles of Tewkesbury Abbey, one of whom sings the soprano solos in the Mass. Charivari Agréable, a lively period instrument ensemble, is another plus: there’s none of the overweening solemnity that often belabours this music"

"The young trebles of Tewkesbury Abbey are a force to be reckoned with. They sing musically and fearlessly with excellent diction and a mature, warm tone"

"Charivari Agreable are especially rich and incisive...In fact, the tone is just right, sounding neither too Baroque nor too Romantic - not just Classical in timbre but somehow Austrian Classical...Benjamin Nicholas conducts the Mass and Vespers with vigour and grace and the Ave verum corpus with a sublime stillness that never sounds sentimental."

Producer: Paul Baxter
Recording venues: Chapel of Merton College, Oxford
Recording dates: 12-13 July 2011
Physical format: Jewel case
Number of discs: 1
Number of tracks: 13
Release date: 14 November 2011
Album ID: DCD34102
Total playing time: 0:54:59

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