Bruckner: Mass in E minor & Motets - Stephen Layton, Polyphony, Britten Sinfonia

Bruckner - Mass in E minor & Motets
Stephen Layton, Polyphony with Britten Sinfonia

'Polyphony, whose sound is … smoothly rounded, fully blended and sumptuous … Layton produces such gorgeous sounds from his singers that the overall listening experience is infinitely satisfying … The seven unaccompanied motets are absolute gems. An ethereal account of Ave Maria has a breadth and grandeur which belies its short time-span; as the vocal lines crowd in on each other, the effect is nothing short of electrifying. And popular as it is, if there has to be a "definitive" interpretation on disc of Locus iste, this has to be it. Put it simply, we're unlikely to hear choral singing as fine as this for a good few years to come' (Gramophone)

'Polyphony and the Britten Sinfonia catch the music's starkness, exaltation and mysticism as movingly as I have heard. This is a searching performance, with soft singing of awed intensity, but also an unusually dramatic one. Stephen Layton never allows Bruckner's music, even at its most unearthly, to become becalmed; and he builds climaxes of molten intensity in, say, the Sanctus, or the fervent motet Christus factus est. A glorious disc of music that strives for, and ultimately attains, a state of transcendent peace' (Daily Telegraph)

'This album finds the composer secure in his spiritual home, serving God in music transcendent. Stephen Layton's reading of the Second Mass articulates sublime, prayer-like qualities routinely overlooked and underplayed by others. The approach … is revelatory, rich in contrasts, fervent outbursts and symphonic tension … An outstanding release' (Classic FM Magazine *****)

'This really excellent offering from Polyphony … Polyphony trumps all others for beauty of tone … In the Benedictus, too, musical sense arises from transparency and intelligent phrasing … The performances of the motets are excellent, too, painting nuanced pictures of these vocally and philosophically stratospheric pieces' (BBC Music Magazine *****)

'Peace and goodwill would be the order of the day if Father Christmas could hand out to all and sundry copies of Polyphony's recording of the Bruckner's Mass in E minor. No disc I've heard this year comes near it for sheer beauty' (Gramophone) 'The performance is strong and characterful: beautifully sung by Polyphony and subtly, imaginatively accompanied by the Britten Sinfonia's wind band … The group sing with ravishing, lustrous tone throughout and phrase and colour magnificently. Their dynamic and dramatic range is great and tension is continually racked up under the baton of Stephen Layton, though never at the expense of vocal purity, profundity of expression or dignity of delivery' (MusicOMH.com)

'I wasn’t prepared for the excellence of this program… The musicianship is so sophisticated, so meticulous that it’s impossible not to get swept up in what the singers are doing… What really captures my attention is the spectrum of vocal colors these singers create in pianissimo range… Maestro Layton’s performances inspire the soul even as they break the heart with their intense beauty' (American Record Guide)

1 Ave Maria [4'06]
2 Locus iste a Deo factus est [3'02]
3 Movement 1: Kyrie [6'10]
4 Movement 2: Gloria [5'47]
5 Movement 3: Credo [9'05]
6 Movement 4: Sanctus [3'28]
7 Movement 5: Benedictus [6'02]
8 Movement 6: Agnus Dei [6'20]
9 Christus factus est [6'06]
10 Vexilla regis [5'01]
11 Os iusti meditabitur [5'02]
12 Virga Jesse floruit [3'49]
13 Pange lingua [5'09]

Bruckner’s motets are small masterpieces, containing intensely expressive harmonic writing and a sense of personal devotion within a characteristically expansive framework. The sensuous Mass in E minor recalls his great symphonies. Grammy-nominated choir Polyphony under their inspirational director Stephen Layton offers impeccable yet passionate performances on this glorious disc.