Welcome to Hyperion Records, an independent British classical label devoted to presenting high-quality recordings of music of all styles and from all periods from the twelfth century to the twenty-first.

Hyperion offers both CDs, and downloads in a number of formats. The site is also available in several languages.

Please use the dropdown buttons to set your preferred options, or use the checkbox to accept the defaults.

Click cover art to view larger version
Track(s) taken from SIGCD281

Funeral sentences

composer
author of text

Gabrieli Consort, Paul McCreesh (conductor)
Studio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available
CD-Quality:
Studio Master:
CD-Quality:
Studio Master:
Recording details: November 2009
Ely Cathedral, United Kingdom
Produced by Adrian Peacock
Engineered by Neil Hutchinson
Release date: March 2012
Total duration: 10 minutes 16 seconds
 

Reviews

'Any disc subtitled 'Music of Mourning & Consolation' is not going to be a bundle of laughs. But Paul McCreesh has devised such a satisfying programme of mostly short a cappella pieces that the effect is the reverse of depressing. Gibbons would not have approved of the English Hymnal's truncation of his joyful 'song' to fit different (albeit contemporary) words; but he might still have been moved by the slow, prayerful performance given here … an excellent disc' (Gramophone)

'The raison d'être of the disc is Howells's Requiem and it is impressive as the core of a powerful programme. Going back to the opening Gibbons hymn 'Drop, drop slow tears', it then seemed right. Some discs are built out of contrast: this glories in its breadth of tone, matching the sombre consolation of the words and music. It is certainly impressive' (Early Music Review)» More

'A Song of Farewell was recorded in the warmly reverberant acoustic of the Lady Chapel at Ely Cathedral. The singing is immaculate. James MacMillan's A Child's Prayer builds from a quietly pulsing heart beat, deep in the bass register, and blooms ecstatically on the words 'Joy and love my heart are filling'. The soprano soloists Amy Moore and Kirsty Hopkins deserve a special mention for sustaining a sumptuous tone whilst all the while their voices ascend heavenward. MacMillan's music is as technically demanding as it is emotionally powerful and it is a wonder that these exceptional young singers make it all sound so effortless' (Classic FM)» More

'The first line of my review says it all—'This is a disc of staggering beauty and effortless sophistication'. The tradition of British Choral singing at its best' (MusicWeb International)
Waiting for content to load...
Waiting for content to load...