Reviewed by Simon Carpenter

Call me a stick in the mud if you like, but I can't get used to people with names like Caroline and Karen singing solos that I was, probably mistakenly, brought up to believe were the preserve of boys. On this enterprising recording of polychoral music from the 16th to the 19th centuries, Caroline Ashton sings the high Cs in Allegri's celebrated "Miserere", alongside second soprano Karen Kerslake. And, I have to admit, very effective they both sound too, as do the other soloists and the main choir. Two other 'greats' from the early music repertory, Tallis' 40 part ethereal masterpiece "Spem In Alium" and Bach's joyful "Singet Dem Herrn" for double choir, are also tackled by John Rutter's Cambridge Singers here, as well as music by other 16th and 17th century composers, and given performances that any early music buff would enjoy. However, the recording does not end there, for there are also fine performances of works by the very 19th century Brahms and Mendelssohn. Worth considering in order to collect three of the early music greats on one recording.

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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