The enchantment begins wit the cds themselves, exquisitely decorated with a reproduction of the Vision of St Bernhard of Clairvaux by Renaissance painter Filippino Lippi. The plastic box is protected by a beautiful, glossy paper cover featuring cherubs absorbed in contemplation. Inside you will find a booklet containing the Latin texts of the chants translated in English, French and German (which is not the case with "The Best of the renaissance")together with a presentation-illustrated with photographs-of the Tallis scholars and the music of the album.

Although this is a compilation of different recordings extending over a dozen years or so, I would like to emphasize that there is not the slightest difference in sound quality between the various tracks.

One of the strong point of this album is the great variety of the sung pieces. Whereas "The Best of the Renaissance" features no less than 3 Masses (by Byrd, Desprez and Palestrina), which means hearing again and again Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus and Agnus, this album offers a whole range of motets and hymns with a few major Mass pieces like the final Gloria by Brumel on the first cd, whose splendor almost puts it on a par with the gorgeous "Spem in Alium" by Thomas Tallis.

Maybe the only weakness of this album is the choice of the composers, many of whom are rather obscure Flemish and English composers (who knows Crecquillon Isaac, Clemens, Cornysh, Sheppard, Rore, White?), although great names like Allegri, Byrd Palestrina, Lassus Victoria, Tallis and Desprez are also represented.

But the music is splendid all along and,last but not least, in this recording you are spared the experimental music of pretentious Gesualdo, which in my opinion spoils "The Best of the Renaissance".


the most delicate music of all time   December 29, 2004
 52 out of 58 found this review helpful

i truely recommend this cd. i'm 19, grew up with metal, rock, n rap. But this is truelly the most delicate music, makes earth feel like heaven. it has changed my life, n hopefully changes yours. The music takes you farther than you will ever be as a human, farther than ur wildest dream. Listen and take the path of splendid creations.


Nick


Behold, The Wonder Of Man   August 14, 2004
 24 out of 28 found this review helpful

Can any one believe the beauty of this music, the clarity of these voices, and the intonation resounding in every breath that they take. If this is not heaven on earth, and it already feels like it is, then we shall all be humbled to tears when we hear the angels choir. But i, for one, say that the Tallis Scholars are truly angels on earth, and their voices are proof of that. I am shocked that this cd has recieved 2 reviews, and am writing this to tell you, that you need to buy this cd, and listen to the clarity of voice that it bestows upon the mind.


The Greatest Hits of a Pioneer Ensemble   September 27, 2005
 20 out of 20 found this review helpful

For years, Tallis Scholars have been quietly revolutionizing our recovery of sacred music. This is their "greatest hits" collection and quite great indeed. The Miserere which begins the set is alone worth the price of the set. The only fault with it is that it is so startling, so obviously genuine, that you will still be hearing it as you play through the rest of the set. The Scholars' ongoing recovery project only proves how integral music is to the human psyche, how essential the sacred is to basic human sanity. And how the severence of the two in the public space and the popular imagination -- the sacred from music -- has severely damaged us all en masse.


Music of Angels!   January 9, 2004
 15 out of 39 found this review helpful

Great and manifold are the divine mysteries of Christ's love, and all the wonder he hath created. The depth of the love of His children is so beautifuly rendered in the music on these cds, (wich I purchased for 1 dollar less at cdconnection :)). It sparks my imagination to think of the beauty of the songs of real angels. If meer mortal men can make harmony so crushingly exquisite, how wonderful is the song of the Sarrafim??!!! I recommend this to everyone. good music for your private time with the Lord.