Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

Antony Pitts, the founder and director of Tonus Peregrinus, sets this collection into its historical context with some erudite notes in the CD booklet. He points out that Notre-Dame Cathedral was the first to be built on a truly monumental scale and the music written to be used within it had to reflect this. The cornerstone was laid in 1163 but it was many years before the whole was finished, during which time worship continued and developed in unexpected ways. Léonin, who was at his creative peak between the years of 1163 - 1190, was considered the master of polyphonic composition of his generation and was responsible for collecting the music for the Cathedral's magnus liber organi, "the great book of works" and this was revised by Pérotin, who flourished around 1180 - 1225. On first listen the music does not seem to be going anywhere but it slowly builds into something remarkable. Tonus Peregrinus is a first class choir of eight, all of whom are soloists as well. If you have any interest in the roots of Western church music this is an essential purchase and at the generous price of £4.99 is should appeal to the musically curious.

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