Contrapunctus, Owen Rees - Libera Nos: The Cry Of The Oppressed

Published Monday 12th August 2013
Contrapunctus, Owen Rees - Libera Nos: The Cry Of The Oppressed
Contrapunctus, Owen Rees  - Libera Nos: The Cry Of The Oppressed

STYLE: Choral
RATING 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9
OUR PRODUCT CODE: 143372-
LABEL: Signum Classics SIGCD338
FORMAT: CD Album
ITEMS: 1

Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

This debut recording explores the musical cries of the oppressed from different parts of Europe, which include some of the most powerful works composed in England and Portugal during the 16th century by Byrd, Tallis, Monte and Cardoso. The texts are Old Testament laments over the destruction of Jerusalem and its temple by the Babylonians of Nebuchadnezzar that were interpreted by English Roman Catholics as a parallel of their situation under the Protestant Tudors and by Portuguese nationalists of the same time as reflecting their plight under Spanish domination. A highlight on this disc (and which is used as the title track) is the first recording of a newly reconstructed vocal work by Thomas Tallis, "Libera Nos". This has long been thought to be an instrumental work, and has been recorded as such, but there is persuasive historical evidence for us to be confident that this is in fact a choral setting of the antiphon "Libera Nos", and it is performed here with the relevant text restored to the five vocal parts. The acappella choir Contrapunctus, currently Vocal Consort in Residence at the University of Oxford, is directed by Owen Rees and gives a very assured performance on this its debut recording. Although the music is sorrowful it is nevertheless a pleasant listening experience and the seventy minutes of the programme flew by, leaving this reviewer wanting more.

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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