A Rose Magnificat
Paul McCreesh leads the Gabrieli Consort in a collection of works that explores the diverse and extensive body of works dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary over the centuries. Music by Tallis, MacMillan, Howells and Leighton frames the world premiere of a new work by the young British composer, Matthew Martin: a setting of the Magnificat, interpolated with verses from the atmospheric medieval poem There is no rose.
BBC Music Magazine Awards 2019 | Winner – Choral
Limelight Magazine Recordings of the Year 2018 | Winner – Vocal/Choral
Gramophone Classical Music Awards 2019 | Finalist – Choral
“★★★★★ Sweet tuning and subtle dynamic distinctions mark James MacMillan’s Ave maris stella, with gleamingly pure-toned contributions from the soprano…Technically the most difficult piece is probably Matthew Martin’s A Rose Magnificat…It is daily meat and drink to the superlative Gabrieli choir, who give a formidably encompassing performance…another outstanding issue from this outstanding team.”BBC Music Magazine, Choral & Song Choice
“The vogue for pairing Renaissance and contemporary choral works is well established but this is a programme that draws the dialogue between the two repertories into fresh animation...McCreesh’s ear for a contemporary classic is unerring, and this is a programme to win new audiences for composers who aren’t (yet) household names. The Park and Lane, along with MacMillan’s Ave maris stella, are easy wins but it’s Martin’s A Rose Magnificat that demands a second and third return to the disc.”Gramophone Magazine, Editor's Choice
“The gently glowing settings of Ave maris stella from Owain Park and James MacMillan will surely attract the attention of other top-notch choirs, but the high point of the recording is surely Matthew Martin’s virtuosic Rose Magnificat, the ecstatic climax of which shows off the full-blooded Gabrieli sopranos in all their glory.”Presto Music, Editor's Choice