SONGS OF ANGELS
Music from Magdalen College, Oxford

Signum SIGCD038

Magdalen College, Oxford has a long and noble history, not least amongst liturgical composers. This disc presents music by holders of the post of Informator Choristarum between 1480 and 1560. Including music by Richard Davy, Thomas Appleby, Thomas Preston and John Sheppard.

• A very impressive group of young choral scholars
  – CD Review, BBC Radio 3

ORLANDO GIBBONS
With a Merrie Noyse
Second Service and Consort Anthems
with Fretwork

harmonia mundi usa HMU 907337

A ground-breaking recording of Gibbons’ music refreshed in new editions by Dr David Skinner and performed by Magdalen Choir alongside the internationally renowned viol consort, Fretwork. Including This is the record of John, O clap your hands, See, see the Word is incarnate.

Performance Sound

• 2005 Grammy nominee
• Flawless ensemble, crisp consonants and perfectly paced dynamics……revelatory.
  – BBC Music Magazine

CHRISTOPHER TYE
Latin and English Church Music

harmonia mundi usa HMU 907396

A rare chance to hear on one disc the contrasting styles of Christopher Tye, a contemporary of Thomas Tallis, from the relative simplicity of the English settings to the musically magnificent 5- and 7-part Psalm motets that conclude the programme.

Artistic Quality 10 / 10 Sound Quality

• The choir's expertise in this music is unassailable
  – ClassicsToday.com
• It's glorious to hear the wall of lush tone and beautiful blend of this choir
  – Early Music America
• Magdalen College Choir, on top form throughout, is exemplary
  – Daily Telegraph, London

GRAYSTON IVES
Listen Sweet Dove

harmonia mundi usa HMU 907420

Bill Ives leads Magdalen College Choir in a premiere recording of some of his own liturgical music. Published under his given name, Grayston Ives, these works were composed between 1973 and 2000. The music ranges from delightfully airy to deep and contemplative to soaring and celebratory.

Artistic Quality 10 / 10 Sound Quality

• Listen sweet dove is a gem. First-rate music and very accessible. The highlight is the ‘Missa Brevis’ – inventive, tuneful, harmonically vibrant – one of the finest works of its kind. Magdalen College Choir sings with appropriate sensitivity, fervent spirit and fluent mastery.
  – ClassicsToday.com
• Ives's ear encompasses shimmering dissonance, jazzy close harmonies and festive pomp
  – The Times, London

Listen to the CD with the media player.