Heavenly Light

Choral singing has long provided comfort and joy, as seen during the 2020 lockdown when voices united in harmony from balconies worldwide. This album embodies that same spirit, bringing together composers from two centuries, five hundred years apart, in a stunning display of vocal artistry.

Continuing CRD Records’ tradition of championing rediscovered choral works, this release follows in the footsteps of our landmark Missa Scala Aretina recording. In a time of global uncertainty, this collection offers light, cultural significance, and a universal promise of solace and elation.

SKU: 3555 Categories: Choral, England, Europe, Facer Peter, Forthcoming, Latest Releases, Orchestral, Renaissance

Nicholas Huchyn Ascendit Christus a5 (secunda pars)

Robert Wylkynson O Virgo Prudentissima a6 (prima pars)

Robert Fayrfax Ave, Lumen Gratiae a4 (prima pars)

Robert Wylkynson Magnificat a6

Robert Wylkynson Gaude, Virgo Mater Christi a4

Richard Davy Gaude, Flore Virginali a6 (secunda pars)

William Horwood Gaude, Virgo Mater Christi a5

Robert Wylkynson Salve Decus Castitatis a5

Robert Holyngborne Gaude Virgo Salutata a4

Review	...the most exciting new release so far this year... ...Superbly reconstructed motets brilliantly brought to life... ...'Salve Decus Castitatis'... has had a great deal of reconstruction done... That was worth it: the work... stands out in this collection... ...Horwood’s 'Gaude Virgo Mater Christi' is quite a highlight ...I cannot praise the choir and its director Daniel Gilchrist enough. The project came out of the Covid pandemic, which gave Russell Blacker enough space and time to ‘conjugate’, one might say, these amazing resurrections out of the ashes – the iconoclasts almost destroyed this entire incredible heritage. I greatly look forward to Volume II... *****Recommended – Gary Higginson, MusicWeb International 'Incredibly special' – BBC Radio 3 '[On Wylkynson's 'Magnificat']... all I need to say is that the piece is glorious to hear'... 'wonderfully confident and eloquent performances of this revising music'... 'The recording, made in an appropriate church acoustic, is excellent and the notes informative'... '...a most valuable enterprise...' – Stephen Barber, MusicWeb International '...What sets this recording apart is that it consists of contemporary “reconstructions” of works that are preserved only partially in the Eton Choirbooks; this means that the album is not only an excellent account of works by English composers too often overlooked (including Robert Wylkynson and Nicholas Huchyn) but also a unique collaborative effort between those composers and a contemporary one... This makes the whole listening experience not only ravishingly lovely but also deeply intellectually engaging, and a great choice for any library that supports choral teaching and history.' – CD HotList, US
Customer Review	***** This recording is full of light and space, soaring like the architecture of English Gothic cathedrals. It is breathtaking in scholarship and performance, and is exactly the sort of sound you would want to hear when entering the house and gate of heaven - no noise nor silence, but one equal music. Selene sing with poise and understanding, living up to the Heavenly Light of the title, shafts of light that indeed have not been heard in completeness for five hundred years. Totally wonderful!

Review

...the most exciting new release so far this year... ...Superbly reconstructed motets brilliantly brought to life... ...'Salve Decus Castitatis'... has had a great deal of reconstruction done... That was worth it: the work... stands out in this collection... ...Horwood’s 'Gaude Virgo Mater Christi' is quite a highlight ...I cannot praise the choir and its director Daniel Gilchrist enough. The project came out of the Covid pandemic, which gave Russell Blacker enough space and time to ‘conjugate’, one might say, these amazing resurrections out of the ashes – the iconoclasts almost destroyed this entire incredible heritage. I greatly look forward to Volume II... *****Recommended – Gary Higginson, MusicWeb International

'Incredibly special' – BBC Radio 3

'[On Wylkynson's 'Magnificat']... all I need to say is that the piece is glorious to hear'... 'wonderfully confident and eloquent performances of this revising music'... 'The recording, made in an appropriate church acoustic, is excellent and the notes informative'... '...a most valuable enterprise...' – Stephen Barber, MusicWeb International

'...What sets this recording apart is that it consists of contemporary “reconstructions” of works that are preserved only partially in the Eton Choirbooks; this means that the album is not only an excellent account of works by English composers too often overlooked (including Robert Wylkynson and Nicholas Huchyn) but also a unique collaborative effort between those composers and a contemporary one... This makes the whole listening experience not only ravishingly lovely but also deeply intellectually engaging, and a great choice for any library that supports choral teaching and history.' – CD HotList, US

Customer Review

***** This recording is full of light and space, soaring like the architecture of English Gothic cathedrals. It is breathtaking in scholarship and performance, and is exactly the sort of sound you would want to hear when entering the house and gate of heaven - no noise nor silence, but one equal music. Selene sing with poise and understanding, living up to the Heavenly Light of the title, shafts of light that indeed have not been heard in completeness for five hundred years. Totally wonderful!