Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina was active as composer, musician and choirmaster in and around Rome in the late 16th century. Many of the pieces in this collection were written for specific dates in the Catholic calendar and the whole gives us a good view of what Palestrina was aiming at through his music. The centrepiece is the 25 minute “Missa Hodie Christus Natus Est”. Set around it, like jewels around a crown, are pieces for Advent and the Sundays after Christmas, culminating in an awesome “Magnificat”. It is safe to say that your local carol singers will not be attempting any of these pieces. The Choir of Westminster Cathedral make all of them sound effortless and Martin Baker, the master of music, is in total control throughout.

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