Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

We start with a slight caveat: this is a mid-priced release of an album that was first issued in 1997, albeit now in a nice new sleeve, so if you have a long-standing interest in the music of Tomas Luis de Victoria (c. 1548-1611) check before buying. For the less committed this could be a good way to discover one of Europe's most significant composers who was prepared to extend the musical boundaries of his age and church with his interest in polyphony. Here he is given every chance to shine as the talented vocal quartet La Colombina do him full justice. This is not an historical re-enactment of a church service but more of a concert performance of music that would have been included in the Good Friday worship but without the other aspects that made for a long and reflective occasion. There is, though, sufficient context material included to give us an idea of how this music was used in real life. The disc concludes with a setting of the Passion according to St John by the Catalan composer Joan Pau Pujol (1570-1626), which shows how the musical baton was passed on to the next generation. Pujol is much closer to what was later to be described as Baroque whereas de Victoria, despite his use of polyphony, still sounds as though he was working during the Renaissance. (These ideas are developed further in Josep Cabre's interesting booklet notes.) So there is much to appreciate on this disc although we recognise that it may be too specialised to attract a general audience. However the price is fair and the 70 minutes offered is generous.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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