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AMDG presents as formidable a challenge to its singers as any of Britten's compositions for unaccompanied choir. In fact that is sometimes suggested as the reason why, having written it for an expert group in 1939 and realising that its chances of frequent performance were slim, Britten never prepared the work for publication. It's a pity he couldn't have heard Stephen Layton's Polyphony! Even...
Après un formidable récital Cornelius (chez le même éditeur), Stephen Layton revient en Angleterre pour fêter Britten. Encore chosit-il un Britten moins connu qu’à l’ordinaire dans ce programme essentiellement consacré à la musique chorale profane. On peut s’interroger sur cette relative désaffection. Difficulté des oeuvres ? Certainement. Mais il n’empêche : les quatre recueils et les deux...
After hearing their latest CD of choral works by Britten, nothing will dissuade me from the conclusion that Polyphony under Stephen Layton is the best chamber choir in the country. Listen to the pinpoint articulation in I mon waxe wood from the collection Sacred and Profane Op91. The high sopranos are lithe, strong and young. They rattle out the semiquavers even at altitude with precision and...
A crack choir who sing with immaculate intonation and a sure sense of internal balance … I was left wishing there could be more
Polyphony’s exceptional energy, technical prowess and expressive flexibility make the most of every word and mood throughout this hour-long programme. This engrossing anthology of words and music comes highly recommended
A valued possession … highly recommended