‘One can imagine the virtuosity required by every contributor, at every turn, to make this a reality, let alone a dazzling triumph. The documentation is comprehensive and satisfying’ (Gramophone)
‘A project delivered with McCreesh's customary attention to detail, ranging from sourcing appropriate timpani to calculated spatial effects such as the Regalia Procession heard moving through the distant cloister. It's a labour of love and sounds it … vivant the Gabrielis—not forgetting the massed 250 young singers of their outreach 'Gabrieli Roar' (BBC Music Magazine)
PERFORMANCE
RECORDING
‘The performances are excellent, the recording spectacularly good and I found the experience utterly convincing. It's a remarkable achievement’ (BBC Record Review)
‘You’ll find 21 trumpets here, variously blasting through fanfares and other regal finery in heart-lifting music by Elgar, Parry, Vaughan Williams, Walton and company, vigorously dispatched by performers who at their peak number almost a thousand. Set down mostly in the atmospheric acoustic of Ely Cathedral, with period instruments involved, this is an astonishing recording.’ (The Times)
‘This is a truly exciting release. In using that word I’m not just referring to the big, set-piece musical items. The smaller-scale pieces are just as thrilling to hear, but in a different fashion. But what makes this album particularly exciting is, firstly, the sense of history and tradition that is so vividly conveyed and, secondly, the fact that so many young musicians—clearly very talented—have been involved’ (MusicWeb International)
‘Paul McCreesh and Gabrieli bring the history, ceremony and liturgy of these extraordinary events to life … the result is a joyful celebration of five centuries of choral music, performed with the same vast forces as were heard at the coronation services. Alongside an orchestra of rare early-twentieth century instruments, an extended Gabrieli Consort is amplified by the energetic sound and fresh faces of several hundred young singers from Gabrieli’s choral training programme Gabrieli Roar’ (Presto Classical)
