Who could not like this lovable recording of The Great Service by William Byrd? The complete dedication and total sincerity that the boys and men of the Choir of Westminster Abbey charismatically directed by James O'Donnell and discretely accompanied by organist Robert Quinney bring to their performance of Byrd's 400-year-old music more than compensates for the technical blemishes of their performances. If their tone is not always the most beautiful, if their youthful voices sometimes crack, if their intonation is not ...
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Who could not like this lovable recording of The Great Service by William Byrd? The complete dedication and total sincerity that the boys and men of the Choir of Westminster Abbey charismatically directed by James O'Donnell and discretely accompanied by organist Robert Quinney bring to their performance of Byrd's 400-year-old music more than compensates for the technical blemishes of their performances. If their tone is not always the most beautiful, if their youthful voices sometimes crack, if their intonation is not entirely impeccable, and their ensemble is not altogether seamless, their singing is always full-throated, their interpretations are always whole-hearted, and their belief in the music and the texts is immensely compelling. Hyperion appropriately recorded the Westminster Abbey Choir performing The Great Service in Westminster Cathedral itself, granting the music release in its wood-paneled walls and soaring stone-supported ceilings. Although listeners looking for a more polished and...
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