Westminster Cathedral Choir, directed by Martin Baker

HYPERION CDA67396
78'22"
www.hyperion.co.uk

Hyperion's new Christmas contribution to the catalogue brings a collection of motets by Palestrina, which includes the invigorating Missa Hodie Christus natus est. Martin Baker's direction of Westminster Cathedral Choir is masterly as they explore these celebratory texts.

The motets Alma redemptoris mater, Canite tuba, Deus tu conversus and Hodie Christus natus est are magnificently rendered before the sumptuous double-choir Hodie Christus natus est Mass, draws upon Palestrina's formidable grasp of spiritual concepts borne out of the harmonic reservoir of the prima prattica. O magnum mysterium, Tui sunt coeli, O admirabile commercium, Christe, redemptor omnium and Magnificat Primi toni, end this wonderfully bound collection of Palestrina's settings for Christmas celebration.
DA