Music for Compline
Spitalfields Festival. Stile Antico
Christ Church, Spitalfields. 5 June 2015

I have followed the fortunes of Stile Antico almost from the start of what is now their 10th year. They continue to impress me with their choice of programmes, their vocal skills and their ability to work together, without the distraction of a conductor. The 13 singers stand in a shallow arc, with the voice types mixed up. The eye contact between them is not only a necessity, but it also brings the audience into their world. It is a formula that obviously works well for them, and for their enthusiastic audiences around the world.

Their Spitalfields concert was based on the music from their first CD, and explored the range of English music composed during the 16th century for the office of Compline, a meditative service sung at dusk. The Catholic setting for most of the pieces was contrasted by a few examples of later Protestant versions based Continue reading →